National 1 League FAQs

NewComp is a new national league structure that brings together US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) and US Youth Soccer’s National League (NL), totaling approximately 10,000 teams and 150,000 players. NewComp is a joint effort by US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer in collaboration with U.S. Soccer.

NewComp is intended to reduce fragmentation, simplify competitive pathways, reduce travel, and create a clear merit-based competition structure that connects local leagues to higher levels of play. Based on market analysis, integrating these competitions will create more localized play opportunities and reduce participant travel and cost through the season.

NewComp was developed through pathway discussions between US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. These two National Associations are leading the design process, while U.S. Soccer is supporting alignment as it relates to the broader U.S. Soccer Pathways Strategy.

The league will launch in the 2026-27 season.

US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer will remain separate organizations that operate their own programs and services. Some services or programs may align or consolidate over time where it benefits the sport.

NewComp will include U-13 through U-19 age groups, utilizing the August 1-Juty 31 age matrix. Younger age groups (U-9-U-12) wilt continue to be served primarily through localized programming.

NewComp will operate across eight geographic conf.erences, designed primarily around population density to balance competition level and travel demands.

Each conference will be divided into districts, emphasizing localized competition.

NewComp is primarily team-based, with merit-based promotion and relegation alongside defined competition standards and policies. Transition periods may exist for operators with current club-based competition models.

NewComp will be the top team-based competition platform within US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. Performance within NewComp will contribute to evaluation for club-based leagues.

NewComp is designed to support both team and club development and to incentivize upward mobility toward the pre-professional segment, such as ECNL Regional League (ECNL RL), based on on-field performance and club standards.

ECNL and ECNL-RL are managed separately from NewComp. White NewComp and ECNL- RL will have an integrated postseason, the operations of these leagues are not impacted by NewComp.

The inaugural season will conclude in summer 2027 with participation in the ECNL Conference League Playoffs. This event will combine qualifying teams from ECNL Regional League and NewComp, creating the top team-based playoff competition in the country.

League operators will continue managing day-to-day competition operations within their district(s) under a unified national framework.

Existing national competitions will be integrated into NewComp as part of the transition to a unified platform.

NewComp will operate under one unified set of competition rules and standards.

Operator standards will ensure administrative, technical and competitive aspects of the league are best­in-class. Standards include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure teams are in the correct playing environment
  • Competitive level
  • Safe playing environment – match day standards
• Unified set of national playing rules
• Referee and assigning standards
• Oversight/implementation of pathway strategy at entry levels
• Coaching standards

Players and teams will register through GotSport.

Registration will be managed by US Club Soccer, which is the official sanctioning entity of NewComp.

The structure prioritizes regional, drivable competition, while maintaining opportunities for national exposure.

The alignment of US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and ECNL within a connected competitive pathway brings together the majority of competitive youth soccer players and clubs in the United States. This creates greater clarity for families and reduces fragmentation across the youth soccer landscape.

NewComp aims to provide:

• More balanced and competitive games
• Clearer pathways to higher levels of play
• Fewer confusing league choices
• Better alignment with scouting and college exposure

A key focus of NewComp is more localized competition with national travel primarily limited to showcases and postseason events.

NewComp is designed to reduce inefficiencies and duplication across competitions, with affordability as a key consideration in the league’s financial model.

Not necessarily. Selected US Club Soccer NPL and US Youth Soccer National League divisions will transition first, while other leagues may connect over time as the pathway evolves.

NewComp serves teams at the top of the competitive segment, positioned between local leagues and elite national club-based platforms.

NewComp will include postseason events and showcases, providing exposure opportunities for college recruitment.

By consolidating thousands of teams into a more unified competition structure, scouting for programs such as id2, ODP, and U.S. Youth National Teams will become more efficient.

Players can progress through:

• College recruiting pathways
• National scouting events
• Advancement to elite youth platforms

Yes. District scheduling will consider high school soccer seasons, allowing players the option to participate in both.

NewComp is intended to reduce fragmentation, simplify competitive pathways, reduce travel, and create a clear merit-based competition structure that connects local leagues to higher levels of play. Based on market analysis, integrating these competitions will create more localized play opportunities and reduce participant travel and cost throughout the season.

NewComp will be the top team-based competition platform within US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. Performance within NewComp will contribute to evaluation for club-based leagues.

NewComp is primarily team-based, with merit-based promotion and relegation alongside defined competition standards and policies. Transition periods may exist for current club-based competition models.

Yes. Teams will be evaluated individually through the application process.

Qualification pathways from state and local leagues are currently being developed and will balance:

• On-field performance
• Organizational standing
• Regional considerations

No. All teams must apply for the 2026–27 season, though prior performance in those leagues will be a key consideration.

Players and teams will register through US Club Soccer registration platform, GotSport. For more information on US Club Soccer registration processes, click here.

Clubs should continue participating in their current leagues and stay informed as additional information about NewComp becomes available. Nothing is needed at this time.

This depends on the district. Please contact your local operator for specific details.

Club-based programming is being phased out and will only temporarily exist if it currently operates in the same geographic area of the new districts. Teams will be incorporated into new team-based leagues within their district.

Coaching education standards will be aligned nationally and scaled appropriately by competition level.

Referee training, assignment, and development will become more consistent across regions.

NewComp is primarily team-based, with merit-based promotion and relegation alongside defined competition standards and policies. Transition periods may exist for current club-based competition models.

While promotion is based on performance, competition standards prioritize long-term player development and safe playing environments.

NewComp will employ full-time staff, including a commissioner and operations staff, responsible for competition standards, integrity, and league management.

League operators will continue managing day-to-day competition operations within their district(s) under a unified national framework.

Existing national competitions will be integrated into NewComp as part of the transition to a unified platform.

Yes. Operators will continue to:

• Run day-to-day league operations
• Schedule matches
• Deliver competition locally

All leagues are aligned to national standards, NewComp rules and regulations, and oversight processes.

Any league who feels they meet and align with NewComp standards and structure is invited to apply. The application process for 2026–27 is now closed but look for the 2027–28 application to be available around November 1, 2026.

NewComp full-time staff will provide governance and ongoing auditing of league operators to ensure compliance, safeguarding and discipline.

There is no limit to the number of operators that may be approved in each region and/or district. NewComp regional leadership will coordinate operators to avoid overlap, conflict, or inconsistent quality.

Operators function within an assigned structure and framework, not in competition with one another.

NewComp will operate under one unified set of competition rules and standards.

Operator standards will ensure administrative, technical and competitive aspects of the league are best-in-class. Standards include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure teams are put in the correct playing environment
  • Competitive level
  • Safe playing environment – match day standards
• Unified set of national playing rules
• Referee and assigning standards
• Oversight/implementation of pathway strategy at entry levels
• Coaching standards

NewComp full-time staff will provide governance and ongoing auditing of league operators to ensure compliance, safeguarding and discipline.