Athletes Make The Best International Soccer Games Series Showcases Athlete-Owned Businesses, Ventures, and Brands

New York, NY — Athletes Make The Best today announced the International Soccer Games series, taking place July 15–19, 2026, across New York and New Jersey. The event will spotlight athlete-owned and athlete-led businesses and brands that are shaping the future of industries including sports, entertainment, food, publishing, and real estate.

The International Soccer Games series brings together athletes from every sport and industry—owners, executives, managers, directors, and investors—on soccer’s global stage. The program demonstrates how athletes are fueling local economic development, building workforce opportunities, and creating measurable community benefits.

Program Highlights

• Sports + Entertainment Infrastructure Breakfast: Wednesday, July 15 | 9:00am – 11:30am | Queens, NYC
  
  • Revealing results from a yearlong study on regional sports and entertainment infrastructure and public sentiment.

• Athletes Make The Best Authors Night: Thursday, July 16 | 4:00pm – 9:00pm | Newark, NJ
  
  • Athlete-authors, innovators, and changemakers share powerful stories of leadership and life beyond sport.

• Athletes Make The Best Studio: Friday, July 17 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | Jersey City, NJ
  
  • Athlete-led innovation, storytelling, and brand experiences come together. Business leaders, government officials, and community influencers will recognize the 2026 Athletes Make The Best Award honorees.

• Athletes Make The Best Authors Night: Friday, July 17 | 4:00pm – 9:00pm | Manhattan, NYC
  
  • A second evening of live storytelling with athletes who are building businesses and movements beyond sports.

• Athletes Make The Best Experiences: Saturday & Sunday, July 18–19 | NYC + NJ
  
  • A curated guide to athlete-owned businesses and destinations—restaurants, developments, and community experiences—where people can work, live, play, and stay.

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LocalContent.com Partnership

LocalContent.com, the official supplier and workforce development partner, will connect small businesses, workers, and community organizations with opportunities throughout the series. Local Content is also the official nominee clearinghouse for the Athletes Make The Best Awards, ensuring transparency and compliance in the nomination and selection process.

Awards Nomination Timeline

• Nominations Open: October 1, 2025
• Nomination Deadline: April 30, 2026
• Winners Announced: May 30, 2026

Athletes Make The Best is now accepting nominations for the Athletes Make The Best Awards. The awards honor athletes who build businesses, create jobs, and invest in communities. Businesses, organizations, and individuals can submit nominations online at AthletesMakeTheBest.com.

Sponsorship, exhibitor, and speaker opportunities are also available. Partner organizations can align with this athlete-driven platform to advance brand visibility, workforce pipelines, and community impact.

About Athletes Make The Best

Athletes Make The Best is a commerce and media company that helps athletes become brand builders, business owners, and industry leaders. The company powers athlete-driven businesses and careers in apparel, digital media, publishing, and productions. Its ecosystem strengthens the connection between athletes, industries, and communities worldwide.

About LocalContent.com

LocalContent.com is the compliance and intelligence platform that certifies businesses, projects, and products for local content and domestic content requirements. The platform helps organizations qualify for contracts, grants, permits, licenses, tax incentives, and public support. LocalContent.com is the trusted clearinghouse for the Athletes Make The Best Awards and the official partner for supplier and workforce development across multiple industries.