Excited young athletes training together under the MLS NEXT program.
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Sponsor Our ArticlesMLS NEXT has announced the addition of seven new clubs set to join its program for the 2025-26 season, enhancing elite player development across North America. These clubs include Albion SC Colorado, Michigan Futbol Academy, Northern Virginia Alliance, The Football Academy, and Tulsa Greenwood SC, among others. Aimed at providing a comprehensive player pathway from U13 to U19, these teams underscore the league’s commitment to youth soccer development. The increased competition features over 1,200 teams and aims to raise the standards of training and resources available to aspiring soccer players.
In a move that has many soccer enthusiasts buzzing with excitement, MLS NEXT has just announced the addition of seven brand-new clubs that will join its premier program starting in the 2025-26 season! This development marks a significant step toward enhancing elite player development across North America. With a clear focus on offering top-notch resources and training opportunities, these new clubs promise to help athletes reach their peak potential.
Drumroll, please! The new clubs joining the ranks are:
These clubs are committed to providing a robust full player pathway that spans across various age groups ranging from U13 all the way up to U19. It’s like a soccer journey tailored for young players seeking to hone their skills and make a mark in the sport.
In addition to the five new clubs, three other teams that have ties to MLS NEXT Pro will also join the family:
What’s particularly noteworthy is that Huntsville City is the first MLS NEXT Pro affiliate to create its own academy separate from its parent MLS club, paving the way for a whole new model of youth development. Meanwhile, Michigan Futbol Academy will be linked with the brand-new MLS NEXT Pro team being established in Grand Rapids. Chattanooga FC is also buzzing with excitement, having debuted in MLS NEXT Pro in 2024 and now set to officially join MLS NEXT.
The introduction of these new clubs speaks volumes about MLS NEXT’s commitment to being a premier platform for youth soccer. To ensure that only the best clubs join this elite league, a rigorous evaluation process was used, reviewing prospective clubs on a variety of key factors such as:
Not to mention, clubs were also carefully assessed based on their community involvement, holistic development strategies, commitment to access and representation, and their readiness to support players through financial aid and scholarships. It’s all about shaping the future of young soccer players, both in and out of the game!
With the new clubs joining, the competition tier will escalate dramatically, featuring over 1,200 teams from more than 220 clubs across various regional divisions! Over half of the new organizations have previously competed outside of MLS NEXT. This is huge for the youth soccer scene!
Well-established league operators like the National Academy League (NAL), Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association will oversee the different divisions. The regular season is set to kick off in September 2025, leading into regional tournaments and ultimately the highly coveted MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs in 2026.
For young athletes aspiring to take their game to the next level, there’s even better news: players in this new tier will be able to participate in high school soccer! The flexible structure of MLS NEXT continues to aim high, prioritizing youth soccer players’ futures both on the field and beyond.
As the membership continues to grow, the tally for the 2024-25 season included a whopping 29 MLS academies and 122 Elite Academies. In total, that reached up to 151 clubs, 753 teams, and an astounding over 16,000 players across North America!
With marquee events like the Generation adidas Cup on the horizon, where MLS academies will go head-to-head with top international clubs, the excitement for grassroots soccer is at an all-time high. The future looks bright for aspiring soccer stars!
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