OCEAN CITY- The  Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s 28^th annual St. Patrick’s Soccer Tournament returns next weekend with roughly 150 teams and hundreds of players from all over the mid-Atlantic region expected to converge on the resort for the four-weekend event.

From modest beginnings 28 years ago, the annual St. Patrick’s Tournament has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and is now one of the largest events of its kind. The 2015 tournament will host over 150 teams competing in 12 divisions. The tournament will be held on four consecutive weekends starting February 26-28, when the under 18 boys’ and girls’ tournaments will be held along with the new Adult Co-Rec Division.

The tournament will be held each weekend thereafter with different boys’ and girls’ age divisions competing, turning Northside Park into ground zero for indoor soccer competition throughout February and into March. The month-long event will culminate with the adult men’s and women’s tournaments on March 13-15. The format will be pool play followed by a single elimination tournament to determine the champions in each division.