E32: Inside MLS Next Fest
This week on the City Limitless® podcast, we went where Mesa’s sports scene is loudest: Arizona Athletic Grounds during MLS NEXT Fest. If you have driven past and wondered why the traffic feels nonstop, there is a good reason. Over a 12-day stretch, Mesa became a national hub for youth soccer, with full parking lots, busy hotels and a complex active from early morning to late at night.
Meg explained just how significant the event is. MLS NEXT is the largest soccer tournament in the country, and during this run alone, Arizona Athletic Grounds hosts around1,400 teams over 12 days. That means thousands of athletes and families traveling to Mesa from across the U.S. and beyond. While the increased traffic is noticeable, Meg emphasized what it represents. College coaches are recruiting. MLS clubs are scouting. Many of these young players are among the top talent in the country and for some, this event is a key step toward college or professional soccer.
What stands out most at Arizona Athletic Grounds is how much is happening at once. Alongside MLS NEXT matches, the site is also home to dance competitions, baseball and volleyball tournaments, basketball games, jujitsu and pickleball. Rather than feeling chaotic, the atmosphere feels connected. The complex was designed to function as a true destination, not just a place to play a single sport, and this event shows that vision in action.
That destination approach continues to grow. Since the last visit with Meg, Arizona Athletic Grounds has added experiences that make long tournament days more enjoyable. A new arcade gives families something to do between games. Food and beverage options continue to evolve to match the pace and scale of major events. The venue has also expanded into community programming, including a holiday market that drew thousands of visitors, and entertainment events that brought in new audiences beyond youth sports.
“When you bring MLS NEXT to a place like Arizona Athletic Grounds, you’re not just putting on an event—you’re putting a city like Mesa on the national stage.” — Luis Robles
Luis Robles shared why Mesa and Arizona Athletic Grounds stood out on a national level. MLS NEXT has two main goals: developing the next generation of soccer talent and growing the game across the country. After hosting a similar event in California, he recognized the need for a facility that could handle the size of the tournament while still delivering a high-quality experience for families and scouts alike.
Arizona Athletic Grounds met that need with 24 fields, an efficient layout that allows scouts to move easily between games and grass fields that create a stage for the highest-level matchups. Luis also highlighted how valuable it is to host MLS NEXT alongside the College Combine at the same location, allowing players and families to better understand the full pathway from youth soccer to college and professional opportunities.
One of the strongest takeaways from the episode was the culture behind the scenes. Meg’s leadership style is hands-on, and her belief is simple: no one is defined by a single role. If something needs attention, everyone pitches in. That mindset carries through the entire staff and plays a major role in the positive experience athletes and families have while they are in Mesa.
To hear the full conversations with Meg Stevens and Luis Robles and learn more about how Mesa continues to grow as a destination for sports and tourism, listen to this week’s episode of City Limitless®. You won’t want to miss it!