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USL Unveils “USL Premier” as Division One League, Announces Three-Tier Men’s Pathway

USL Unveils “USL Premier” as Division One League, Announces Three-Tier Men’s Pathway

USL Unveils “USL Premier” as Division One League, Announces Three-Tier Men’s Pathway

Jan 27, 2026 33 Views USL PREMIER
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TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) announced today that USL Premier will be the official name of its new Division One men’s professional league, while also unveiling a restructured men’s pathway designed to support long-term growth, competitive integrity, and the introduction of promotion and relegation.

USL Premier will serve as the top tier of a unified men’s professional structure that also includes the USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three). As part of the new framework, the USL will align competition formats across all three divisions to support balanced schedules, credible movement between leagues, and future expansion.

Under the initial structure — which could evolve over time — USL Premier will operate as a single national table with a long-term target of 20 clubs and is scheduled to launch in 2028.

The USL Championship will also transition to a single national table with 20 clubs, reinforcing competitive consistency and national reach.

USL League One will continue to grow nationally while maintaining a regional competition format, allowing clubs to compete closer to home and foster local rivalries.

As the new structure takes shape alongside the launch of USL Premier, the USL plans to introduce America’s first promotion and relegation system, creating a connected, merit-based professional pathway that rewards performance and raises the level of competition across all divisions. The system is designed to deliver more meaningful matches for clubs, players, fans, and partners.

“USL Premier is a defining piece of our long-term vision for the men’s game,” said Alec Papadakis, CEO of the United Soccer League. “We’ve built a multi-tier professional system that is both scalable and rooted in communities. By establishing a clear structure, we’re creating a strong foundation for clubs, players, and fans, and unlocking meaningful opportunities for stakeholders and investors as we continue to grow the game and prepare to introduce promotion and relegation.”

The USL is currently reviewing applications from clubs interested in competing in USL Premier and will announce the league’s inaugural members at a later date.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for soccer in the United States, driven by rising participation and the country’s role as host of major global sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The increased national spotlight is expected to deepen fan engagement and drive demand for professional soccer in communities across the country.

Building on this momentum, Tony Scholes, the current Chief Football Officer of the English Premier League, will join USL Premier as President upon completing his responsibilities in England later this summer.

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