About the Tournament 

Vail Recreation District and the Vail Valley Soccer Club unite in welcoming the top men’s teams from across the country to one of the toughest tournaments in the Rocky Mountains. Games are played throughout Vail, EagleVail and Edwards. Spectators are welcome and volunteers are always sought for the event.

F About Fred Ammer 

Fred Ammer (Friedemann Ammer) was born in Germany and moved to Colorado in the late 1950s. Ammer began the Vail Soccer Club in the early 1970s as a way for Europeans living in Vail to stay in shape during the summer months.

The Vail Soccer Club became one of Colorado’s premier soccer clubs, winning the state cup in the late 1970s and eventually including two full men’s teams,
a women’s team and a kids’ program.

The first Vail Invitational Tournament, which was originally held on the old soccer field (where Ski Club Vail is currently located), featured six teams and eventually had to

be canceled due to a torrential downpour, which caused the sod on the field to float.

Through the hard work and collaboration

between Tom Steinberg, the Town of Vail, the Vail Rugby Club and the Vail Soccer Club, some open space east of town wasappropriated as the new athletic fields. The sod was laid by players themselves and supporters of Vail rugby and soccer.

To this day, the Vail Invitational is a championship-caliber tournament attracting top teams from across the country thanks to Fred’s hard work and dedication.