An unprecedented, game-changing
step for American soccer.
The Las Vegas Lights are at the forefront
of this monumental shift in the sport.
Be a part of the history.
United Soccer League, the organization in which Las Vegas Lights competes, adopts promotion and relegation system, ushering in a new era for American soccer.
League owners approve this historic move to align with global standards and elevate competition nationwide.
The USL becomes the first professional sports league in the U.S. to adopt the global model of promotion/relegation, creating an interconnected three-tiered men’s professional soccer system, where teams earn promotion to a higher division or face relegation to a lower division based on their performance during the season.
With this historic step, the USL aligns with the world’s top leagues—including the English Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga—where promotion and relegation raises the stakes of every match, drives fan engagement, and elevates the overall competition of the game.
What is USL Division One?
Division One status for a league in the U.S. is defined by the sanctioning standards of the U.S. Soccer Federation. Division One is the highest level for professional soccer in the United States as set by these standards.
Las Vegas Lights FC fully intends to aggressively pursue Division One status as part of the new league. The club remains committed to delivering the best possible product for our city, our community, and our fans.
In the planned future soccer pyramid, USL Division One and MLS would co-exist as division one leagues. The USL Championship would continue to exist as a division two league, and USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro would continue to exist as division three leagues.
Does Las Vegas Lights FC meet the requirements for Division One clubs as set by the U.S. Soccer Federation?
As the USL engages in an ongoing process, Las Vegas Lights FC intends to pursue all necessary development needed to qualify for Division One status.
This includes expansion or construction of a stadium that meets all requirements and is located in the Las Vegas area. The club will be prioritizing ambitious stadium development plans under Owner Jose Bautista.
