Military Teams Competed in Las Vegas Memorial Soccer
Eight Air Force and Space Force squads participated in the three-day tournament held from September 11 to 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Military personnel from across the country converged on the Las Vegas area earlier this month for a tournament honoring the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The event featured eight teams from various Air Force and Space Force installations, including the local unit from Nellis Air Force Base.
Why it matters
The tournament served as both a formal memorial ceremony and a competitive showcase for service members. It provided a platform for military units to gather and pay tribute during the anniversary of the attacks.
Eight teams participated in the three-day event, which took place across multiple matches in the valley. The final outcome saw Joint Base San Antonio secure the championship title over the host team from Nellis Air Force Base.
The players
Nellis Air Force Base
The local Air Force installation served as the host site for the military soccer tournament.
Joint Base San Antonio
The military installation fielded the team that won the tournament championship.
The details
The event began with a memorial ceremony that featured a wreath-laying and a moment of silence to commemorate 9/11. Competition included squads from bases such as Minot, Vandenberg, Luke, Hill, Kirtland, and Edwards. The tournament concluded on September 13 following the championship match between Nellis and Joint Base San Antonio.
Timeline
September 11-13, 2026: The inaugural 9/11 memorial soccer tournament took place.
Beyond the Strip
The tournament marks a local effort to observe the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks through communal sport. This event repeats the pattern of military-led commemorative activities frequently held throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
Residents may have noted increased traffic or activity near Nellis Air Force Base during the three-day tournament. The event concluded on September 13 with no ongoing impact to public transit or local road access.
The takeaway
The tournament highlighted the role of military installations in valley-wide commemorative events. Readers can watch for future memorial sporting events scheduled at Nellis Air Force Base.
Further reading
Find more local athletic updates at Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aerotech News & Review.
