You Won’t Believe Who Made the Cut: Shockingly Unlikely Players Lead This Year’s League Operators!

A New Era in Youth Soccer

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 27, 2026) – The landscape of American youth soccer is set to undergo a significant transformation as US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer announce a groundbreaking new league for the 2026-27 season. This initiative, temporarily dubbed “NewComp,” will unite the National Premier Leagues (NPL) and National League, creating a cohesive platform that will cater to over 10,000 teams and more than 150,000 players across the country.

The inaugural season will culminate in a summer 2027 postseason, managed by the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). This structure will allow top-performing teams from NewComp to qualify for elite postseason play, alongside selected teams from the ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL). The existing playoff frameworks within the ECNL and ECNL RL will remain intact, with the introduction of NewComp enhancing the competitive landscape and offering families valuable college scouting opportunities. Further details on the playoff system are expected to be released next week.

NewComp will feature eight conferences: Northwest, West, Central, South, Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Each conference will encompass multiple districts, with these districts selecting teams for postseason advancement. The first set of league operators has been announced, consisting of diverse organizations dedicated to fostering access and inclusivity, as well as quality competition. These operators include:

• Arizona Youth Soccer (West Districts 2, 3)
• Carolina Premier Soccer League (Mid-Atlantic District 3)
• Colorado Soccer Association (West District 1)
• El Paso Premier League (South District 4)
• Elite Development Program (Northeast Districts 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Florida Club Leagues (Southeast District 2)
• Great Lakes Alliance (Midwest District 1)
• Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (Midwest District 5)
• Mid-Atlantic Premier League (Northeast District 3)
• NorCal Premier Soccer (West District 4)
• Northern Illinois Soccer League (Midwest District 4)
• SOCAL Soccer League (West District 3)
• Southeastern Clubs Champions League (Southeast District 1)
• Texas Club Soccer League (South District 2)
• Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (Central District 1)
• Virginia Premier Soccer League & National Capital Soccer League (co-operated; Mid-Atlantic District 2)
• Washington Premier League (Northwest District 3)

Operators were meticulously chosen based on a robust framework that prioritizes access, inclusivity, and player-centric decision-making. Further operators will be announced as applications are vetted, with a focused aim on ensuring compliance and operational excellence. The registration for teams will open in early April, following a meeting for league operators scheduled for next month in Atlanta.

“Having been involved in the oversight of national youth leagues for almost a decade, this competition is exactly what youth soccer needs,” stated Marc Frankland, commissioner of the new competition. “I’m proud to work with US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer to develop a league that focuses more on local travel and aligns with the U.S. Soccer Pathways Strategy to create a unified, team-based competition that is player-focused and merit-based.”

This initiative aligns with the broader goals of U.S. Soccer’s Pathways Strategy, which aims to make the sport more accessible and navigable for players and families alike. The NewComp pathway will seamlessly integrate with existing structures, providing opportunities for top clubs to ascend to the ECNL RL and for local competitions to gain entry into NewComp.

“An extraordinary amount of diligence and care are being put into the creation of this new competition,” emphasized Alexandra Rieben, Senior Vice President of Programs & Partnerships for US Club Soccer. “US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and the ECNL are all working to provide a league platform that welcomes more players, minimizes travel, connects above and below in the current pathways structure, and elevates the best teams in the country.”

Tom Condone, CEO of US Youth Soccer, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are committed to a competitive structure defined by clear standards, consistent accountability, and expanded opportunity for players.”

This new chapter in American youth soccer not only aims to foster a sense of community and competition among players but also to streamline the experience for families. By reducing travel burdens and increasing access to quality competition, the NewComp initiative is poised to reshape the future of youth soccer in the United States.