18th annual Daily Pilot Cup schedule released

In a couple weeks, hundreds of elementary-school athletes wearing various bright-colored T-shirts will take over soccer fields in Costa Mesa.

The little footballers, boys and girls, grades third through sixth, found out Wednesday who they’ll play, as the 18th annual Daily Pilot Cup schedule was released.

The Pilot Cup begins May 30 and ends June 4 at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex, also known as the Farm fields, and at Costa Mesa High School.

“This tournament was built to serve the community,” said Director Kirk McIntosh, who created the Pilot Cup.

The Pilot Cup is one of the most highly anticipated youth sporting events in the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa communities. It is a rare tournament that features elementary school teammates.

There are three divisions, gold, silver and bronze, for a boys’ group and a girls’ group in two grade levels, third and fourth, and fifth and sixth.

This year there are 211 teams. Last year’s Pilot Cup had 210 teams.

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Twitter: @SteveVirgen