Our community has many so opportunities for kids to participate in soccer! This guide will help you find the best soccer program for your family in the Iowa City area. From programs for preschoolers through teens, check out these fantastic soccer programs:
Toddler/Preschool Programs
Ages: 3-6
Registration Deadline: March 19, 2023
Season: April 3 – May 11, 2023
Cost: $45 for Coralville residents, $56.25 for non-residents
The City of Coralville offers a fun recreational soccer program that is run by parent volunteer coaches. Seasons last six weeks, with 45-minute sessions that have skill-building games and three vs. three games coached by parents. Our kids enjoyed this low-key program, and it’s a lot of fun watching preschoolers try to figure out which goal they are supposed to try to score on — or even which field they should keep their ball on!
Iowa City Fire – Kickers Parent-Tot Soccer
Ages: 2-5
Season: April 15 – May 6, 2023
Cost: $50-$80
These coach-led four-week sessions introduce kids to basic soccer skills. Parent participation is encouraged but not required and parents come away with resources and new skills to help keep the soccer fun going at home. Kids are grouped into two age groups: 2-3 year-olds; and 4-5 year-olds. This is perfect for both soccer-loving parents, who want to play with their kids, and parents, who are new to the sport and want to learn the basics. Sessions last for 25-30 minutes and are available at multiple parks around the community.
Soccer Programs for School-Age Kids
Ages: 4u, 5u, 6u, 8u, 10u and 12u
Program Type: Recreational
Seasons: Fall/Spring
Cost: $75, plus $40 uniform fee. Uniforms can be used year to year.
This volunteer-led program offers six weeks of soccer in the spring with games beginning around the first week of April. Games are played in various locations across the region, currently in Williamsburg, Tiffin, and Brooklyn. Games are generally scheduled on Saturdays, between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Coralville Youth Soccer – KIXX
Ages: 6-8
Registration Deadline: April 4, 2023
Program Type: Recreational
Seasons: April 19 – June 3, 2023
Cost: $55 for Coralville residents, $68.75 for non-residents
KIXX Youth Soccer League is designed to provide an opportunity for children to have fun and build relationships while developing their soccer skills through small-sided games. The emphasis is on introducing the concept of team play and building individual skills. Sessions are one hour long, one night per week. Each participant will receive a t-shirt.
Iowa City Fire – Kickers Parent-Tot Soccer
Ages: 5-8
Season: March 28 – May 16, 2023
Cost: $80
These eight skills based soccer sessions will use fun games and practical drills to engage participants. They use partner and group drills to develop team play. All sessions will end with scrimmage. These sessions will run 40-50 minutes and take place at local parks.
Ages: Kindergarten through Adult
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2023
Program Type: Recreational
Season: April 22 – June 10, 2023
Cost: $75-95 per season, discounts for playing fall and spring with the same team
My favorite “starter” program for soccer is Iowa City Kickers. It is parent coached. That means it varies a lot in intensity based on the coach and their level of skill and interest in coaching. For our family, it was a great, low-key way to introduce our kids to the sport. And, as our kids got older, it remained a fun way to play with friends without us as parents feeling the need to commit large amounts of time or money to year-round competitive leagues.
Ages: 5-8
Program Type: Recreational
Registration Opens: February 14.
Note: this program filled up within 24 hours. Registration for Fall Academy typically opens in June, so check their website for dates in June so you don’t miss it!
Season: March 31 – June 9, 2023
Cost: $125 for Academy 10-week session
This program gives kids a great foundation for soccer with practices led by professional coaches. This is a practice-only program for young kids, with all practices held on Friday nights from 5:30-6:30 p.m. With just a one-night-per-week commitment, this is perfect for busy families. Space is limited. I recommend registering on the day it opens.
Ages: 8-14
Program Type: Recreational
Registration Opens: February 14, 2023 – this program filled within 24 hours.
Dates haven’t been released yet for fall and winter seasons, but are typically in mid to late June and October. Check their website so you don’t miss it!
Season: March 31 – June 9, 2023
Cost: $140
Run by professional coaches, this program gives kids who are interested in building their skills a great place to do so. My son found this program to be a great bridge between recreational programs and competitive soccer. Practices are all held on Friday nights from 6:35 – 8:05 p.m. Space is limited. I recommend registering on the day it opens.
Iowa Soccer Club – Year-Round Competitive
Ages: 7-18
Program Type: Competitive
Registration Opens: May 2023
Season: Year Round. Tryouts held in June for the 2023-2024 season that will begin in August
Cost: $145/month up to 12U, $120/month 13U-19U, plus team fees
What ISC is probably best known for is their competitive leagues for ages 7-18. This level of play requires a year-round commitment. At least one practice per week is required for 11 months of the year, but motivated kids can practice almost every night of the week if they so choose and your schedule allows. Note: high school age players do not have a spring season with ISC, which is why fees are lower than for younger age groups. Tournaments and fall and spring league play require some travel within a few hours of Iowa City. Winter indoor leagues are played in Iowa City.
The coaching is fantastic! Nothing beats people who know soccer like it’s their job–because it is their job! The level of skills development we’ve seen at ISC has been tremendous compared to what our kids have learned in other programs. It is also one of the most well-organized extracurricular programs that my kids have ever been involved in. The director gives fantastic and frequent communication to parents.
