Inaugurated in August 2003, All Nations Cup (formerly World Cup Seattle) is the current major project of Sister Communities, a 501c3 nonprofit.
With the 2012 tournament, All Nations Cup will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The event celebrates the global Seattle community through a soccer tournament played by over 40 local teams representing their homelands. The tournament is surrounded by an international festival unlike any other in the northwest with food, music, dance and entertainment from around the world. The project strengthens community leadership, fosters cultural expression, and creates connection between communities.
Twelve teams participated in the 2003 tournament, representing: Vietnam, Somalia, Romania, Mexico, Japan, Tanzania, Denmark, Honduras, China, Ethiopia, USA, and Brazil.
In 2004, All Nations Cup grew to a 31-team, three-weekend tournament with a cultural festival added throughout the event. In 2006, 37 countries participated, plus a 10-team Masters Division, a Women's Regional, and the Youth Games.
In celebration of its fifth anniversary, All Nations Cup 2007 hosted more teams then ever with an Grand Opening Ceremony featuring a global percussion orchestra conducted by award wining Brazilian composer Jovino Santos Neto. Other features were an art exhibition of local artists showcasing their heritage through painting and sculpture, the premiere of "Women Can't Play" a theater piece involving a series of monologues about women from all over the world and how soccer impacts their lives, the "World Grill" featuring exotic barbecue recipes and desserts from all continents, and the freestyle competition where youth and adults dazzled the crowd with their soccer skills!
