In February 2026, a groundbreaking initiative was launched by the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) to address one of the most pressing public health challenges: the dismal survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Statistically, nearly 90% of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest outside hospital settings do not survive, largely due to insufficient or delayed administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This collaboration, branded as “Play with Heart,” aims to transform these outcomes by equipping the public with the essential skills and confidence to act decisively during cardiac emergencies.
The central premise of the initiative revolves around promoting Hands-Only CPR, a simplified form of CPR that eschews mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in favor of continuous chest compressions. Hands-Only CPR has been scientifically validated as equally effective as traditional CPR within the critical early minutes after cardiac arrest, particularly for teen and adult victims. The technique involves two primary steps: calling emergency services immediately upon witnessing someone collapse and then administering vigorous chest compressions at the center of the victim’s chest, at an optimal rate and depth designed to maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain.
Play with Heart strategically leverages MASL’s expansive national platform alongside the regional influence of its individual teams to disseminate this life-saving knowledge. By situating awareness campaigns and educational outreach during American Heart Month, the initiative maximizes visibility and impact. Throughout February, MASL teams will engage fans through in-arena activations, digital broadcasts, and public service announcements emphasizing the critical importance of recognizing cardiac emergencies and acting fast by using Hands-Only CPR techniques.
This initiative is rooted in robust scientific foundations established by the American Heart Association, a global leader in cardiovascular health and resuscitation science. The AHA publishes authoritative CPR guidelines derived from ongoing research and clinical trials aimed at optimizing survival and neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. Their data reveals that immediate bystander CPR can double or even triple survival chances, underscoring the vital window of response time following collapse. Yet, barriers such as lack of awareness, fear of performing CPR incorrectly, and cultural misconceptions impede widespread public action.
To address these barriers, Play with Heart integrates behavioral and community engagement strategies, acknowledging that fostering a responder mindset requires more than just knowledge—it requires confidence and a culture of readiness. MASL players will don red commemorative armbands during designated Play with Heart games, symbolizing their commitment and raising visibility. Additionally, autographed armbands will be auctioned, with proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association’s educational and research initiatives, thereby linking community involvement with tangible support for heart health advocacy.
The scheduled Play with Heart games span the month of February featuring matchups such as Utica City FC versus Empire Strykers and St. Louis Ambush facing Baltimore Blast, among others. These events serve as focal points for community education, embedding vital health messaging into the dynamic and engaging environment of professional indoor soccer. By pairing a fast-paced, physical sport with life-saving tactics, the campaign draws parallel narratives of agility, rapid response, and teamwork essential both on the field and in medical emergencies.
Technological advances have also been incorporated into this public health campaign. Digital channels, including live broadcasts and social media platforms, amplify the reach of CPR instructions and heart health messages. Interactive tutorials, infographics, and accessible multimedia content simplify the learning process, enabling viewers to understand and retain the critical steps of Hands-Only CPR. The AHA’s resources emphasize that mastering this skill requires only 90 seconds of practice—an investment that could be the difference between life and death.
Furthermore, the campaign addresses disparities in cardiac arrest outcomes related to socioeconomic and racial factors, aligning with the American Heart Association’s commitment to health equity. By integrating culturally sensitive messaging and providing resources in multiple languages, Play with Heart aims to empower diverse communities, boost responder rates, and improve overall survival statistics nationwide. This approach also includes comprehensive community toolkits designed to guide local organizations in tailoring outreach efforts to specific populations.
CPR education is not just about technique but also about clarifying distinctions critical to effective emergency response. The initiative reinforces understanding of the differences between cardiac arrest and heart attack, conditions often confused but requiring distinct responses. Cardiac arrest entails an abrupt cessation of heart function, demanding immediate CPR, whereas a heart attack involves blocked blood flow but may not immediately affect heart rhythm. This knowledge helps bystanders assess situations accurately and act appropriately, minimizing hesitation during crises.
The collaboration exemplifies a broader shift in public health paradigms where sports and entertainment serve as conduits for vital health education. By integrating cardiovascular health advocacy into the fabric of popular culture, Play with Heart not only saves lives but also fosters community cohesion and responsibility. Players, teams, and fans become stakeholders in a shared mission, transforming passive spectatorship into active participation in emergency preparedness.
If there is any silver lining in the tragic statistics of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, it is the potential for dramatic improvement achievable through widespread Hands-Only CPR adoption. Initiatives like Play with Heart epitomize the fusion of scientific rigor, public engagement, and social innovation necessary to drive systemic change. As the Major Arena Soccer League kicks off this impactful campaign, the hope is that millions more will join the Nation of Lifesavers and help rewrite the future of cardiac arrest survival—one compressed chest at a time.
For those eager to learn or refresh their CPR skills, the American Heart Association provides multiple resources online. These include interactive videos demonstrating the recommended compression rate of 100-120 per minute, instructional graphics clarifying hand placement and body mechanics, and comparative analyses of traditional versus Hands-Only CPR. Such educational tools ensure that knowledge is democratized and can be disseminated through various community channels to save more lives every day.
At its core, Play with Heart reinforces a timeless truth: quick, skilled human intervention remains the cornerstone of emergency cardiac care. While medical technologies evolve, the ability of ordinary individuals to act decisively remains paramount in increasing survival rates. Thus, initiatives promoting mass CPR education are not merely health campaigns but profound investments in communal resilience and human solidarity.
Subject of Research: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival improvement through Hands-Only CPR education.
Article Title: Major Arena Soccer League Partners with American Heart Association to Revolutionize Cardiac Arrest Response Through Hands-Only CPR Initiative.
News Publication Date: February 3, 2026.
Web References:
- American Heart Association CPR Facts and Stats: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/cpr-facts-and-stats
- Nation of Lifesavers: https://www.heart.org/en/nation-of-lifesavers
- CPR and ECC Guidelines: https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
Keywords: Cardiac arrest, Hands-Only CPR, American Heart Association, Major Arena Soccer League, public health, emergency response, survival rates, bystander CPR, heart health education, health equity.
