US Club Release: National 1 League Brand Launch
REPOSTED FROM US CLUB NEWS RELEASE HERE
CHARLESTON, S.C. (April 16, 2026) National 1 League is the top team-based competition in US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, elevating teams across the country into a unified national platform integrated with the ECNL.
CONFERENCE/DISTRICTS MAP
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Conference/District |
Conference/District (cont.) |
Conference/District (cont.) |
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Northeast District 1 (ME, VT, NH, MA, RI) |
South District 1 (OK, AR) |
Northwest District 1 (ID, MT) |
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Northeast District 2 (NY-E, CT) |
South District 2 (TX-N, OK) |
Northwest District 2 (OR) |
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Northeast District 3 (NJ, PA-E) |
South District 3 (TX-S) |
Northwest District 3 (WA) |
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Northeast District 4 (NY-E Upstate) |
South District 4 (TX-W, El Paso, NM) |
Northwest District 4 (AK) |
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Mid-Atlantic District 1 (DE, MD, DC) |
Central District 1 (MN, WI-W) |
Northwest District 5 (HI) |
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Mid-Atlantic District 2 (VA) |
Central District 2 (MO, KS, NE, IA) |
West District 1 (CO, WY-Cheyenne) |
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Mid-Atlantic District 3 (NC) |
Midwest District 1 (OH-N, PA-W, NY-W, WV) |
West District 2 (AZ) |
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Mid-Atlantic District 4 (TN) |
Midwest District 2 (OH-S, IN-S, KY) |
West District 3 (CA-S) |
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Southeast District 1 (GA, SC) |
Midwest District 3 (WI, IL) |
West District 4 (CA-N) |
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Southeast District 2 (FL) |
Midwest District 4 (IL-Chicago) |
West District 5 (NV-Las Vegas) |
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Southeast District 3 (AL, FL Panhandle) |
Midwest District 5 (MI, IN-N) |
West District 6 (UT) |
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Southeast District 4 (LA, MS) |
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Formerly referred to as NewComp, this new competition is the result of bringing together US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues and US Youth Soccer’s National League, beginning with the 2026-27 season. The new league ushers in an era of collaboration in youth soccer that benefits players and families across the country.
The National 1 League’s inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027 at the ECNL Conference League Playoffs and Finals, as district qualifiers from this competition and the ECNL Regional League compete for championships.
PARENTS & FAMILIES
The league benefits parents and families by reducing travel and providing clarity, as an initiative designed to stop the fracturing of the youth soccer landscape.
PLAYERS
The eight conferences were constructed to align with planned U.S. Soccer talent ID models, and the integration with ECNL Regional League provides greater access to college coaches.
CLUBS
While National 1 is the top team-based competition in US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer, high-performing clubs are eligible for promotion to the ECNL Regional League.
QUOTABLES
“National 1 aligns with the broader goals of the U.S. Soccer Pathway Strategy. The work to connect pathways into the National 1 League begins now. Our team will partner with selected operators and the respective state associations across the country to develop district-level pathways that are more inclusive and easier for players and parents to understand. The goal is not to disrupt local leagues, but to connect them into a clearer national structure. This work will take time, but we are committed to building it thoughtfully. Access to National 1 League will not be tied to whether leagues, teams or players are registered with US Youth Soccer or US Club Soccer.”
Marc Frankland, Commissioner of National 1 League
“An extraordinary amount of diligence and care are being put into the creation of this new competition. 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 is true to its name of elevating the best teams in the country.”
Alexandra Rieben, US Club Soccer SVP of Programs & Partnerships
“The new ECNL Conference League Playoffs, and the new competition pathway with US Club Soccer and USYS, will recognize and reward top performing teams at all levels of the pyramid, in a logical and transparent pathway.”
Christian Lavers, ECNL President
“We are committed to a competitive structure defined by clear standards, consistent accountability and expanded opportunity for players.”
Tom Condone, US Youth Soccer CEO
