Be a part of something BIGGER
The National League is the ONLY youth soccer platform to offer boys and girls team-based and club-based league competition. It includes…
Regionalized league competition with multiple tiers (varies per area)
National events and postseason opportunities
Standards for participation
54
STATE ASSN.
1000+
CLUBS
3600+
TEAMS
73000+
PLAYERS
League Formats
Team
A structure built for opportunity, where each team earns its place in the appropriate level.
Premier 1
- Highest level of team-based league competition
- Guaranteed acceptance to Winter Events for divisions winners; access for other via application
- Division winners advance to The NL Cup (postseason competition)
Premier 2
- Available where applicable, often with more targeted geographically-based divisions
- Teams may access Winter Events via application
- Promotion available to Premier 1 for top finishers
Qualifiers
- Programming within a state or other limited geographic area, where applicable
- Promotion available to the next tier (Premier 1 or Premier 2)
Club
A league structure allowing clubs to participate in all six age groups — 13U through 19U.
Premier 1
- Highest level of club-based league competition
- Guaranteed acceptance to Winter Events for divisions winners; access for other via application
- Division winners advance to The NL Cup (postseason competition)
Premier 2
- Available where applicable, often with more targeted geographically-based divisions
- Teams may access Winter Events via application
- Ongoing club evaluation for meeting standards and for potential elevation to Premier 1
Club Acceptances & Standards
- An annual application window for new clubs to apply for acceptance into NL Club programming takes place around January in advance of the next youth soccer seasonal year.
- Participating clubs are held to league-wide standards, including:
- Must field a competitive team in each age group
- Must meet all of the required hosting standards
- Must demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe and positive environment for every player
National EVENTS
Events take place in November and January. Each attending team plays at one event.
- Available to teams in the National League ONLY
- Acceptance via team application based on team’s history of on-field performance
- Group play, with one 3-day event per participating team
- Direct qualification to the USYS National Championships or The NL Cup
A postseason competition for the top teams in The National League.
Playoffs (JUNE)
- Teams qualify by winning their Premier 1 division or through the Winter Events
- Four geographically-focused events, each taking place over three days
- Each playoff event features two groups of four teams
- Winners of the four-team groups advance to The NL Cup Finals
Finals (JULY)
- Eight teams per age group (14U-19U) for each gender
- Knockout tournament format; teams play three games over three days
- Winners of the championship match are crowned The NL Cup champions
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