National League players, coaches, club leaders and families:
Over the past 18 years, the US Youth Soccer National League has served hundreds of thousands of players spanning the entire United States and has offered clubs, teams, and players the opportunity to both develop and compete at the highest levels of youth soccer in the country. Since 2007, the National League has laid the framework for defining national pathways through local/regional league connectivity. Today, the National League again is at the forefront of defining player and team pathways — this time in conjunction with a larger vision to unite a fractured youth soccer league structure to align with the U.S. Soccer Pathways Strategy. Kicking off for the 2026-27 seasonal year, “NewComp” (temporary name) is a product of this vision, with the first step being the unification of the National League (NL) and National Premier Leagues (NPL) into one team-based competition.
More information on “NewComp,” including FAQs, can be found HERE.
We understand that change can be difficult, especially where there is confidence in the current established pathways. But where there is change is also opportunity. In this case, the opportunity before us is to align a fractured league landscape and begin addressing the underlying issues of accessibility, travel, and participation cost. With the support of both US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer, and in collaboration with U.S. Soccer through this process, this is an incredibly exciting time for the competitive youth soccer space.
The “NewComp” project has been many months in the making and has already completed several important benchmarks. Governance structures have been established; a commissioner is in place; and league operators of “NewComp” have been selected. The next steps will be executed soon, namely: league operator meetings at the end of March, the launch of the league name/brand/website, and the opening of the league applications in early to mid-April. As the planning process progresses, we wanted to provide NL teams with an update on the expectations for club/team transition to “NewComp” for the 2026-27 season.
NL Team-Based Leagues
- Teams playing in a NL team-based league, namely NL Team Premier I and Premier II, will need to apply for “NewComp” via the process/link provided by their specific District League Operator. Teams in NPL team-based leagues, as well as interested teams from non-NL leagues, will follow the same process.
- For Districts that play in Fall 2026, teams should expect applications to open early to mid-April.
- The 2025-26 NL Team, NL Cup, and NL Winter Event results will be an important team evaluation tool for “NewComp.”
- Over the next couple of weeks, we encourage teams to begin connecting with their District League Operator to establish channels of communication to ensure that information about the league can be efficiently and effectively distributed. NL staff is available to assist teams and clubs with these connections.
NL Club-Based Leagues
- “NewComp” is primarily a team-based league. While some club-based leagues that already operate within the new District boundaries will have a one-year phase out, most of the NL Club division structures will be dissolved and merged into the “NewComp” structure.
- Clubs playing in a NL club-based league, namely NL Club Premier I and Premier II, would need to apply their individual teams for “NewComp” via the process/link provided by their specific District League Operator. Teams from the NPL club-based leagues will follow the same process. Clubs participating in leagues outside of NL or NPL will also be encouraged to apply.
- For Districts that play in Fall 2026, teams should expect applications to open early to mid-April.
- The 2025-26 NL Club, NL Cup, and NL Winter Event results will be an important evaluation tool for “NewComp.”
- Over the next couple of weeks, we encourage clubs to begin connecting with their District League Operator to establish channels of communication to ensure that information about the league can be efficiently and effectively distributed. NL staff is available to assist clubs with these connections.
As “NewComp” information becomes available, we will continue to keep NL teams informed through national communications such as this, but also through communication by your current NL League Manager. We look forward to seeing your team compete on the field!
Mike Leland
General Manager
The National League