If a youth soccer tournament with nearly 200 teams and more than 3,000 players seems like more than Bend can comfortably handle on a single weekend, you are correct.

For the first time in its nine-year history, the Bend Premier Cup will be staged over two weekends, starting this Friday. The tournament, hosted by the Bend FC Timbers soccer club, will unfold on five grass fields on Bend’s east side, including six fields at Big Sky Park and six at Pine Nursery Park. Games will also be played at Buckingham and Ponderosa elementary schools, and at Sky View Middle School.

According to event organizers, the tournament field will consist of boys and girls teams ranging in age from U11 to U19, competing in the gold and silver levels. Participating teams are expected from as far away as Alaska and California.

The tournament runs this Friday through Sunday, and Aug. 17-19.

For more information on the Bend Premier Cup, including schedules, visit www.bendfctimbers.com.

— Bulletin staff report