The long quest for eternal glory and prestige begins this weekend as NorCal Premier Soccer State Cup action for over 2,800 total teams starts play this weekend across the entire state.

The goal: be standing atop the podium, hoisting the NorCal Cup come winter for the youngers and in June for the olders.

“Taking an approach similar to the Champions League/Europa League format in Europe, the NorCal State Cup is really the most unique State competition in the nation in that it gives teams a chance to compete for a knockout style cup championship at their own level of play,” said NorCal Director of Competitions Jason Drury.

For the U9 – U13 State Cup, 1,600 squads will kick off action in the first of three games in the first group round this weekend, while many of the 1,200 U14 – U19 teams play their preliminary playoff games on Sunday.

The group stages for the olders start October 1.

They’re all playing for a chance to make it to the big game, the State Cup finals, which will be played November 18-19 for the U9 – U10’s at Woodward in Manteca, December 9-10 at Mary Grogan Park in Modesto for the U11 – U13 Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions, and February 24-25 at Mary Grogan for the U11 – U13 State, Premier, and Platinum divisions.

Meanwhile, the older State Cup will host its finals June 3-4 on the beautiful pitches at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento.

Those who do win it all in the older age groups will have the chance to compete at US Club Soccer’s national Cup competition, just like last year’s winners such as Napa Soccer Academy and Milan Forza FC.