With the dissolution of the Pre-NPL, which was previously the highest level of play in NorCal, there is a need to revamp the U11-U12 NorCal Premier Divisions. The Premier Division will be the highest level of competition available in NorCal Premier for the U11 and U12 age groups and will remain an open, team-based division to provide the most competitive format with the least amount of travel at these young age groups.

League Structure

Fall: Regional Divisions

Depending on the number of applicants, the Fall will consist of 4-8 regional divisions based on the number of teams that applied and qualify. All teams will start at the same level and will have a chance to qualify for the top divisions in Spring.

Spring: Championship + Regional Divisions

Based on results from the Fall, the top qualifying teams will be placed into “Championship” Spring divisions. Qualifying spots will be posted prior to the start of the Fall League. Teams that don’t qualify for the top division will be placed in regionalized Premier divisions.

Depending on the spring division makeup, there may be matches that require more travel than normal. In order to reduce heavy travel in the Spring, NorCal will host the long-distance travel matches at a central location on a weekend in April. Only teams that have a long-distance travel match will play at the hosted venue.

Cross Regional Playoff

Along with the restructure of the U11/U12 age group, NorCal will also bring back the Cross-Regional Playoff event for the 2026/27 season.  The NorCal Cross-Regional Playoff will consist of the top Spring “Championship” teams, playing in a hosted Semi-Final and Final format to determine the NorCal League State Champion. This playoff will take place on the final weekend of the League season.

Application and Cost

Teams seeking to participate in the U11/U12 Premier League will submit a NorCal Fall and Spring League application and request the Premier division. Team applications will be evaluated and accepted based on the past performance of the team, and no teams are guaranteed acceptance into the league.

Teams are not required to participate in both the fall and spring divisions, but only teams that qualify through their performance in the fall divisions may qualify for the spring “Championship” divisions and the Cross-Regional Playoffs.

Costs: $300/ season