MLS Preseason Career Conference at the Coachella Valley Invitational 

Join Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) in the Coachella Valley for a rare, career-focused weekend built around the Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI), one of the premier MLS & NWSL preseason events.

This is where professional soccer comes together — clubs, coaches, players, agents, scouts, media, and decision-makers — alongside aspiring professionals serious about breaking into the business of the game.

This isn’t a typical conference.

It’s a weekend designed around access: the people, the environment, and the real moments that shape soccer careers.

And there’s no better place for it.

February in the Coachella Valley delivers blue skies, warm sunshine, and perfect matchday weather — while 14 MLS teams compete across one unforgettable preseason weekend. It’s one of the rare moments all year where the professional game, the people who run it, and the future of the sport are all in one place.

Why This Event Matters

One weekend. Fourteen MLS teams.

Across Saturday and Sunday, attendees can watch 14 MLS teams compete in a single weekend — a rare opportunity to see different styles, systems, rosters, and decision-making up close. For anyone pursuing a career in soccer, it’s an unmatched learning environment compressed into two days.

Real access to the professional soccer environment

At CVI, teams train and compete in close proximity. You’ll experience the game differently — tactical calls, coaching cues, substitutions, and player interactions — in a setting built for preseason evaluation and decision-making.

The people who shape soccer careers are here

CVI attracts the full professional ecosystem: sporting leadership, scouts, analysts, agents, media, and club staff. SMWW structures the weekend to turn that proximity into meaningful conversations and actionable career insight.

Preseason doesn’t mean low stakes

Roster decisions are happening. Fringe players are fighting for spots. Coaches are testing systems. For anyone pursuing a career in soccer, this is one of the most instructive environments of the year.

Coachella Valley logistics are easy

Empire Polo Club is a proven host venue with lodging across Indio, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is approximately 23 miles away.

Why the Coachella Valley?

February is peak season in the Coachella Valley — with sunny skies, mid-70s temperatures, and a relaxed desert atmosphere that’s ideal for both learning and networking.
Set against the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Empire Polo Club and surrounding resorts create a unique backdrop where professional soccer, career conversations, and real connections happen naturally. It’s one of the reasons MLS clubs, executives, and staff return year after year.

Where to Stay

SMWW Hotel Block: Indian Wells Resort Hotel

Upon registration, you’ll receive a discount code for the SMWW room block. Rooms start at $129 + tax and include access to the resort pool.

Attendees may also choose hotels or short-term rentals in:

Indio • Indian Wells • La Quinta • Palm Desert • Palm Springs

(MLS teams and staff stay across these nearby cities.)

What You’ll Do (In One Weekend)

• Attend a one-day Soccer Career Conference at La Quinta Resort (Friday)

• Network with professionals in a relaxed, real-world setting

• Watch MLS preseason matches on Saturday and Sunday at Empire Polo Grounds

• Leave with clarity on next steps: who to follow up with, where you fit, and how to accelerate your soccer business career

Friday, February 6 – Soccer Career Conference

Location: La Quinta Resort

Speakers & Panelists

SMWW is currently formalizing executive participation from the MLS clubs competing during the Coachella Valley Invitational. Our goal is to include at least one professional representative from each of the 14 participating MLS teams, spanning areas such as scouting, analytics, player personnel, marketing, media, and player development. 

Confirmed speakers and panelists will be announced in late January, once club preseason schedules are finalized.

Agenda below is preliminary and subject to change based on speaker availability.

8:50 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:00 AM – Talent Identification & Scouting at the Pro Level

How MLS clubs evaluate talent, build scouting networks, and make roster decisions.

10:00 AM – Soccer Analytics & Performance DataHow data and performance analysis influence recruitment, tactics, and player evaluation.

10:45 AM – Coffee & Networking Break

11:10 AM – Player Representation & the Agent Pathway

Understanding player representation, certifications, and working with professional clubs.

12:00 PM – Networking Lunch

1:00 PM – NIL, Transfer Portal & Emerging Player Pathways

How NIL, college movement, and global pathways intersect with professional soccer.

1:50 PM – Networking & Transition Break

2:00 PM – Media, Content & Broadcasting in Soccer

How clubs, leagues, and media partners tell the story of the game.

2:50 PM – Networking & Transition Break

3:00 PM – Marketing, Commercial Strategy & Fan Engagement

Sponsorship, brand strategy, and growing the business of soccer.

4:00 PM – Player Development & Club Infrastructure

Academies, development models, and building sustainable pipelines.

5:00 PM – Closing Remarks & Next Steps

5:30 PM – Free Evening (Enjoy the Coachella Valley)

MLS Matches Included (Saturday & Sunday)

It’s rare to see this many MLS clubs competing in one place at the same time — and even rarer to experience it in such an intimate, walkable setting.

Location: Empire Polo Grounds

General admission to the following matches is included with registration. Fields are adjacent, making it easy to move between games.

Saturday, February 7, 2026
11:00 AM PT – St. Louis CITY SC vs. Austin FC

12:00 PM PT – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Charlotte FC

1:30 PM PT – Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

2:30 PM PT – Portland Timbers vs. D.C. United

Sunday, February 8, 2026

10:00 AM PT – LA Galaxy vs. Chicago Fire FC

12:00 PM PT – LAFC vs. New York City FC

Additional CVI passes may be purchased separately for friends or family.

Who Should Attend

• Aspiring soccer professionals (scouting, analytics, agency, front office, media, marketing, player development)

• College students and recent graduates pursuing careers in soccer

• Career changers ready to pivot into sports and soccer business

• Current soccer professionals expanding their network and knowledge

• Serious fans seeking a behind-the-scenes understanding of the professional game

What’s Included With Registration

• Friday Soccer Career Conference admission

• Friday Networking lunch

• Conference Credentials, name badge and event materials

• Saturday & Sunday CVI general admission match tickets (including LA Galaxy vs. LAFC Game!)

Travel & Planning

Airports

Palm Springs International (PSP) – ~23 miles

Ontario International (ONT) – ~91 miles

San Diego International (SAN) – ~134 miles

Los Angeles International (LAX) – ~145 miles

Registration (Limited Capacity)

This weekend combines professional access, world-class preseason soccer, and one of the best settings MLS offers all year. If you’re serious about working in the game, there’s no substitute for being here.

Space is intentionally limited to preserve access and meaningful interaction.

Secure your spot and take the next step toward a career in soccer.

Registration will open the week of 12/29/2025.

Sponsorships & Scholarships

Interested in sponsorship opportunities or scholarship support?

Email Info@SMWW.com

"The Coachella Valley Invitational has become a premier preseason event in global soccer, thanks to AEG’s expertise in producing world-class events. With state-of-the-art facilities, professional organization, and a unique environment, Coachella provides MLS clubs with a terrific opportunity to prepare for the 2026 upcoming season. " -MLS Commissioner Don Garber