Overview and League Structure

What is the National 1 League (N1)?

• The National 1 League will replace the National Premier League as the top team-based league in Northern California. The National 1 League (N1) brings together two established league platforms – US Club Soccer’s National Premier League and US Youth Soccer’s National League – in an extraordinary display of collaboration. Team participating in N1 in Northern California will join a carefully constructed system of conferences and districts that will create a more robust national footprint for the league.

Where does the National 1 League sit in NorCal’s Competition Structure?

• N1 will replace the NPL as the top team-based league within NorCal Premier’s competition structure.

What is the N1 league structure in NorCal?

• The N1 league be a year-round league consisting of a fall league, spring league and post season playoff. Fall divisions will be regionalized based on the number and location of teams that apply. Spring divisions will consist of two “Championship” divisions formed from top performing teams from the fall divisions, and regional divisions from all teams that do not qualify for the “Championship” divisions.

What happens to State Premier? Will it still exist?

• State Premier, as a statewide competition, will not continue. However, NorCal will maintain regional Premier divisions (similar in structure to Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for teams not competing in N1. Teams not in N1 will top out at the regional Premier level.

What age groups does the National 1 League cover?

• N1 will have divisions for boys and girls from U13 to U19. There is no U11 or U12 pre-N1 divisions allowed.

Is the National 1 League a club-based or team-based competition?

• N1 is strictly team-based. Unlike ECNL and ECNL RL, which are club-based competitions, there are no “N1 League clubs” — individual teams apply and are accepted on their own merits.

What is the relationship between N1 and ECNL RL?

• N1 as the top team-based league in Northern California, sits below the ECNL RL. Top teams from N1 may earn promotion into the ECNL RL as wildcards.

Will ECNL RL continue to exist?

• Yes. ECNL RL will continue as a club-based competition with top performing wildcard teams. NorCal continues to support high-aspiring clubs in seeking promotion into both ECNL RL and the full ECNL.

Application Process

Do current NPL teams need to apply to N1, or are they automatically in?

• All teams must submit an application — including current NPL teams. However, teams currently in any NPL division will be accepted. Similarly, Pre-NPL teams are guaranteed acceptance.

When does the application open, and what is the deadline?

• The application opens May 5, 2026, and closes June 5, 2026. All teams will be notified of their acceptance status by June 5th.

Where do we submit an application?

• Applications will be available on the NorCal Premier Soccer website (norcalpremier.com) starting May 5th.

Is the application team-specific or club-based?

• The application is team-specific. Each team applies individually. A club may submit multiple applications for the same age group — if both are admitted, the two teams cannot be placed in the same division.

Do teams need to be a club’s first team to apply?

• No. Teams do not need to be their club’s first team. Second teams from ECNL RL clubs, for example, are also eligible to apply.

Can teams from other competitions participate in N1?

• Because N1 is part of the US Club Soccer competition pyramid, ECNL and ECNL RL teams are not eligible to participate in N1. However, teams from competitions outside of the ECNL and RL may participate as long as they meet the standards and adhere to all N1 rules and policies.

Is there a minimum number of teams a club must enter?

• No. There is no minimum number of teams required per club.

Does it matter if we are not currently an NPL club?

• No. Any team that believes it competes at the N1 level is encouraged to apply, regardless of their club’s prior NPL status.

Team Eligibility

Which teams are eligible to apply for N1?

• Any U13-U19 team registered with a NorCal Premier member club that competes at an appropriate level may apply. Teams currently in NPL and State Premier are strongly encouraged to apply and are expected to be accepted.

If our team wins the State Premier division, are we automatically in N1?

• No — automatic placement is not guaranteed, but you may apply, and competitive State Premier teams are expected to be accepted.

Can Gold-level teams apply?

• Yes. Teams finishing at the top of Gold can apply. Any competitive team is encouraged to apply.

Can a team apply for both N1 and Premier simultaneously?

A: Yes. Teams that are unsure of their acceptance can apply for both N1 and regional Premier to ensure the correct placement.

Can a U12 team apply to play up into U13 N1?

• Potentially, yes — NorCal has play-up guidelines, and if a team meets those guidelines, they may apply to compete in U13 N1.

What is the highest level of competition for U12?

• Since N1 only covers U13-U19, the highest level of competition for U12 teams remains regional Premier (formerly the top NorCal division for that age group).

Can ECNL RL second teams participate in N1?

• Yes.

Can CalNorth teams participate in N1?

• All teams applying to N1 must be from a NorCal member club that competes at an appropriate level (NPL/ State Premier).

Coaching Requirements

What are the coaching license requirements for N1?

• All coaches on N1 rosters must fufill two coaching requirements. First, they must hold a USSF D License (or equivalent). Additionally, all coaches must complete a continuing education requirement each year, consisting of:
  • 5 hours of professional development through the Coaching Voice
  • Complete any course or clinic qualified as a US Soccer Continuing Education Credit
  • Complete a US Soccer License (D or higher) that year.

Can a coach who is currently in the process of getting their D License still qualify?

• Yes. Proof of enrollment in the D License course will suffice.

If a coach has the National D License, do they still need to complete the continuing education requirements?

• Yes. The additional continuing education is required regardless of the specific D License variant held.

Do assistant coaches also need to meet the coaching requirements?

• Partially. Any coach who needs to be on the N1 team roster must meet the continuing education requirements. Assistant coaches do not need to hold a D License to be rostered.

What if our head coach doesn’t qualify but our team does? Can our DOC be listed as head coach?

• For specific guidance, contact kchaidez@norcalpremier.com.

Does the DOC need a B License for the club to enter N1?

• No. There is no B License requirement for the DOC.

Where and how do coaches complete the continuing professional development hours?

• NorCal will send out specific instructions and links after teams are accepted.

How will coaching license requirements be tracked in GotSport?

• The specific mechanism for tracking these requirements in GotSport is still being determined by US Club Soccer. More information will be communicated after the platform is configured.

Promotion & Relegation

How can N1 teams earn promotion into ECNL RL?

A: The top 2 teams in N1’s top division (formerly NPL 1) may be eligible for promotion into ECNL RL as Wildcard teams. The exact process will be announced at the conclusion of the current ECNL RL season. Wildcard teams qualify through their Spring N1 performance — they do not apply separately.

Are ECNL RL clubs subject to relegation to N1?

• ECNL RL member clubs (non-Wildcard) are not subject to team-based relegation. However, all ECNL RL clubs undergo a comprehensive review at the end of each season that evaluates performance both on and off the field. Only Wildcard teams in ECNL RL face team-based relegation.

Will there be a relegation process from N1 down to Premier?

• Potentially, there may be a relegation process from N1, but the specifics will be finalized and confirmed before start of the spring 2027 season.

If a team is relegated from ECNL RL, will they automatically be placed in N1?

• Yes

Will there be a promotion path from Premier to N1 for the 2027-28 season and beyond?

• Yes. The qualification process for the 2027-28 season and beyond is to be determined (TBD), with qualification pathways expected to be finalized by the end of the Fall 2026 season.

Player Eligibility & Rosters

Can ECNL or ECNL RL players guest play (club pass) down to an N1 team?

• Yes, however, there will be specific rules around the number of players that may do this. Specific rules will be detailed in the N1 handbook when published.

Can players compete in two different age groups simultaneously?

• Yes, however, we expect there to be national rules limiting the number of games a player can play within a day.

Can players be dual-rostered in both N1 and ECNL RL?

• No, players may only be primary players on a single team within their club. Meaning all players playing on a different team than their primary teams must be rostered as club pass players.

Is State Cup participation required for N1 teams?

• No. Teams can opt out of State Cup.

Cost and Fees

What is the team registration fee for N1 in 2026-27?

• The N1 fee is $1,500 per team. This provides teams with a fall and spring season and State Cup.

Will there be a separate player pass/registration cost for N1?

• No, player pass costs will be standard US Club pass fees.

Misc.

Do home teams need to provide canopies and benches, as they did in NPL?

• While game day requirements will be addressed in detail in forthcoming communications. Teams can expect to be required to provide an enhanced game day experience, including tents and benches for all N1 matches.

Will there be an N1-specific coaches showcase like the old NPL had?

• There is no separate N1 coaches showcase planned. Instead, N1 teams will have opportunities to participate in the NorCal College Showcase.

Is participation in the NorCal College Showcase automatic for N1 teams?

• No, it is not automatic. N1 teams will receive invitations to apply for the Fall NorCal College Showcase. Spring showcase inclusion is more limited due to capacity constraints.

Can clubs advertise N1 teams to players ahead of tryouts?

• Because there are no N1 clubs, clubs should not advertise themselves as having joined the league as a club. Once teams are accepted clubs may say that specific teams are part of N1.