What is the National 1 League?
The National 1 League, or National 1, 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. National 1 is a joint effort by US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer in collaboration with U.S. Soccer.
Why is the National 1 League being created?
National 1 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.
Why does this matter?
A clearer and more transparent pathway will help provide more competitive matches by aligning teams with appropriate levels of play. Over time, this structure is also intended to reduce costs by minimizing unnecessary travel and improving league efficiency.
Who is leading the National 1 League?
National 1 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.
When will the National 1 League launch?
The league will launch in the 2026–27 season.
Are the organizations merging?
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.
Where does the National 1 League sit in the national pathway?
National 1 will serve as the top level of the team-based competitive segment for US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer.
What age groups are included?
National 1 will include U-13 through U-19 age groups, utilizing the August 1-July 31 age matrix. Younger age groups (U-9–U-12) will continue to be served primarily through localized programming.
What is the general structure?
The National 1 League will operate across eight geographic conferences, designed primarily around population density to balance competition level and travel demands. Each conference will be divided into districts, emphasizing localized competition.
Is it team-based or club-based?
National 1 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.
Do teams qualify for National 1 through state or local leagues?
Inclusive qualification pathways are a core component of NewComp. These pathways will be developed over the next year to create stronger connections between local leagues and district competitions. For the 2026–27 season, teams will be accepted through an application process managed by league operators.
Can teams move up to higher national platforms?
National 1 will be the top team-based competition platform within US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. Performance within the National 1 League will contribute to evaluation for club-based leagues.
Does National 1 have a connection to club-based leagues?
National 1 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.
Does this announcement change how ECNL or ECNL Regional League operate?
ECNL and ECNL-RL are managed separately from the National 1 League. While N1 and ECNL-RL will have an integrated postseason, the operations of these leagues are not impacted by National 1.
Will National 1 have a postseason?
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 National 1, creating the top team-based playoff competition in the country.
Who runs National 1 day to day?
The league will employ full-time staff, including a commissioner, responsible for competition standards and league management.
What role do league operators play?
League operators will continue managing day-to-day competition operations within their district(s) under a unified national framework.
What happens to existing leagues like NL and NPL?
Existing national competitions will be integrated into National 1 as part of the transition to a unified platform.
Will there be common rules and standards?
National 1 will operate under one unified set of competition rules and standards.
What are the standards for league operators?
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 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
Who enforces standards?
National 1 staff will provide governance and ongoing auditing of league operators to ensure compliance, safeguarding and discipline.
What is the first step?
All clubs/organizations participating in the National 1 League must be members of both US Club Soccer and affiliated to the applicable N1 district operator in GotSport. To join US Club Soccer, visit usclubsoccer.org/join. For specific guidance on staff/coach/admin registration, please visit this web page. For specific guidance on player registration, please visit this web page. To be affiliated to a N1 district operator, submit a ticket to the US Club Soccer Member Administration team at usclubsoccer.zendesk.com.
How will players and teams register?
N1 starts at U-13, and all players & staff must be fully registered with US Club Soccer in GotSport. Teams interested in applying to N1 must do so via the league operator of their respective district.
- Accepted N1 teams register in the applicable event: N1 | [District Name #] [(League Operator)] | 2026-27
- Accepted N1 teams should be named: [Club] N1 [Gender] [Birth Years] [Team] [(State Abbreviation)]
Will registration go through state associations?
Registration will be managed by US Club Soccer, which is the official sanctioning entity of National 1.
Will National 1 player or coach cards allow participation in other competitions?
In 2026-27, all registered players and staff will be eligible for any US Club Soccer competition. A future goal of National 1 is to establish portability for registered participants via a single pass. National 1 will continue to explore interest and feasibility through different U.S. Soccer Organization Members, including State Associations.
Getting Oriented
What is the N1 coach eligibility requirement?
Every N1 coach has to complete 5 hours of coaching development each year, and there are four ways to do it. You only need to satisfy one of them.
NOTE: Please reference this PDF for a visual representation of the different methods for satisfying this requirement.
What does the rule actually say?
The full text of N1 League Rule 3.3 is below.
3.3. Coach eligibility.
- Method 1: U.S. Soccer Licensing Course — at or above the minimum of ‘D’ license or equivalent earned in the past 5 years.
- Method 2: US Club Soccer Coaches’ Voice platform before September 15 (fall season coaches) or January 15, 2027 (spring season coaches).
- Method 3: ECNL Coaches’ Voice platform before August 1 of the competition year.
- Method 4: Coaching education pathway waiver – A waiver may be awarded if a coach can show that he/she is on the coaching education pathway. A waiver must be co-signed by the club director and USYS state association technical lead, stating the coach’s development plan, with timelines. This will be verified by the Operator.
- (Not applicable in Year 1) Any course or clinic that qualified for U.S. Soccer Continuing Education Units (CEU).
Pick the first one that fits your situation:
- U.S. Soccer ‘D’ license (of equivalent) or higher earned in the past 5 years? Method 1.
- Taking a license course this year (‘D,’ ‘C,’ ‘B,’ ‘A,’ or non-U.S. equivalent)? Method 4.
- Coaching in the ECNL? Method 3.
- None of the above? Method 2.
Where do I submit?
Follow the process outlined here. Pick your method, upload your proof, and your League Operator reviews it.
When is the deadline?
For the 2026–27 season, you have until either September 15, 2026 (Fall coaches) or January 15, 2027 (Spring coaches). ECNL coaches still follow the August 1 deadline that ECNL sets. Year 2 returns to a single August 1 deadline for everyone.
Method 1 – Current U.S. Soccer License
Who uses Method 1?
Coaches who hold a U.S. Soccer ‘D’ license or higher that was earned in the past 5 years. For the 2026–27 season, that means a license earned on or after January 1, 2021.
How do I satisfy the requirement with my current license?
Start here, following Method 1, to upload your license certificate. That’s it — your license counts as your annual development.
Where do I find my license certificate?
Here’s how to download a copy of your license from the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. You’ll need to log in to the Learning Center with the account associated with your license.
What if my license is older than 5 years?
Method 1 doesn’t apply. Choose another method.
Method 2 – Coaches’ Voice (5 Hours of CPD)
Who uses Method 2?
Coaches who don’t hold a qualifying current license, aren’t taking a license course this year, and don’t coach in the ECNL. This is also the method for coaches whose ‘D’ license (or higher) is older than 5 years.
How do I complete Method 2?
Register your club for the National 1 League Coaches’ Voice platform here, complete 5 hours of designated CPD content, download your completion certificate, and upload referencing the instructions in this link.
Please note that clubs who are already signed up to Coaches’ Voice via ECNL can request additional places for their N1 coaches here.
How do I download my certificate from Coaches’ Voice?
Visit your club’s N1 Coaches’ Voice Platform and navigate to your profile, and select ‘Achievements’ to find and download the certificate. If you have any issue finding your club’s Platform or downloading the certificate, please email n1support@coachesvoice.com.
Does the certificate need to be from this year?
Yes. The certificate must be dated before your deadline (September 15, 2026 for Fall or January 15, 2027 for Spring). Certificates older than May 1, 2026 don’t satisfy the current-year requirement.
I have a ‘D’ license (or higher), but it’s older than 5 years. Do I really have to do Method 2?
Yes. The 5-year window applies to everyone. There are no exceptions for older license holders, even at higher license levels.
Method 3 — ECNL Hours via Coaches’ Voice
Who uses Method 3?
Coaches who also coach in the ECNL. The 5 hours of CPD you complete for ECNL also satisfy N1 — no separate hours needed.
How do I complete Method 3?
Complete your ECNL CPD on Coaches’ Voice as you normally would for ECNL. Reference these instructions for Method 3, and upload the same certificate you completed for ECNL. Coaches can find their certificate in the Coach Education Center by navigating to their profile and selecting “Achievements.”
When’s the deadline for Method 3?
August 1, 2026 — the same as your ECNL deadline. You don’t need to track a separate N1 deadline.
Method 4 – Coaching Education Pathway Waiver
Who uses Method 4?
Coaches who are working toward a U.S. Soccer license (‘D,’ ‘C,’ ‘B,’ or ‘A’) or a non-U.S. federation equivalent this year. The waiver lets you satisfy the annual requirement by demonstrating you’re on the licensing pathway.
What counts toward Method 4?
A U.S. Soccer ‘D,’ ‘C,’ ‘B,’ ‘A,’ Goalkeeper ‘C,’ Club Technical Leadership (Level 1 or 2) and Talent Identification (Level 2 or 3) License course. Or a non-U.S. federation license course equivalency.
What doesn’t count?
U.S. Soccer Grassroots courses on their own. They count as prerequisites for the ‘D’ license, but they don’t satisfy Method 4 by themselves. If your plan ends at Grassroots this year, use Method 2 instead.
United Soccer Coaches diplomas or other coaching courses not facilitated by U.S. Soccer or another Federation (i.e., CONCACAF, UEFA, AFC, CAF, OFC, CONEMBOL).
How do I submit a Coaching Education Pathway Waiver?
There are three steps, in this order.
- Build your plan.
Your plan should include:- The license you’re working toward (level and issuing federation)
- Any prerequisite courses you need to complete first
- Course names, hosts, locations, and dates from the U.S. Soccer Learning Center or other federation’s course catalog
- Your target date for earning the license (must be on or before July 31, 2027
- Get written approval from both your Club Director and your USYS State Technical Director.
Email the plan to both reviewers in a single email. Each one needs to reply confirming they’ve reviewed and support your plan — a short reply like, “I’ve reviewed this plan and support it” suffices. Save the original email and both replied emails as a single PDF. If you don’t know your State Technical Director’s contact information, your League Operator can give it to you.
- Submit the form.
Follow the process outlined here for Method 4, fill in your plan details, and upload your approval PDF.
Where do I find the contact details for my USYS State Technical Director?
Here is the list of contacts.
What’s the deadline for Method 4?
Submit the waiver by September 15, 2026 (Fall) or January 15, 2027 (Spring). Then complete your license course by July 31, 2027.
What happens if I’m not eligible for the license course I planned to take?
Course eligibility is your responsibility. The waiver covers the N1 requirement — it doesn’t override U.S. Soccer’s prerequisites for the license you’re taking. If U.S. Soccer determines you’re not eligible, you’ll need to meet the prerequisites or switch to Method 2.
What if I don’t finish the license by July 31, 2027?
Your waiver becomes invalid retroactively. You’ll need to complete 5 hours of Coaches’ Voice CPD to remain eligible to coach in N1 for the 2026–27 season. The waiver is a one-time thing — it isn’t extended or reissued.
What if a course gets cancelled or my timeline changes?
Contact your League Operator. Depending on what changed, you may be able to update your plan or may need to switch methods.
Special Cases
I’m earning a new ‘D’ license (or higher) this year. Does that count?
Yes. If you earn a qualifying license before your deadline, that license counts as your CPD for the year. If you’ve already submitted a Method 4 waiver, completing the license closes it out.
Does a ‘D’-Provisional (or other license provisional) count as a license?
No. A provisional isn’t a full license. You’d need to complete the U.S. Soccer reassessment to earn the full license, or use Method 2, 3, or 4 to satisfy the requirement.
I hold a license from another federation (UEFA, FA, AFC, etc.). What do I do?
If you’re currently working toward a non-U.S. license, use Method 4. If you already hold one that is less than 5 years old and want it recognized as your annual development hours, use Method 1. If you’re unsure if the license is equivalent to a U.S. Soccer ‘D’ license or higher, contact your State Technical Director (League Operators have State Technical Director contact information).
Can I switch methods after I submit?
Contact your League Operator. Depending on what changed, you may be able to update your submission or may need to submit a new form.
Does this requirement apply to my coaching in other US Club Soccer-sanctioned competitions?
No. This requirement applies only to N1. Per Rule 3.3.3, your participation in other US Club Soccer-sanctioned competitions isn’t subject to this annual development requirement.
Missed Deadlines and Getting Unstuck
What happens if I miss my deadline?
You won’t be cleared to coach in N1 until you satisfy the requirement. If something genuinely outside your control got in the way (e.g., a cancelled course, a medical event), contact your League Operator.
I’m having trouble logging into the U.S. Soccer Learning Center. What do I do?
Start with the U.S. Soccer Learning Center Help pages. They cover login problems, duplicate profiles, and finding certificates.
I’m having trouble logging into Coaches Voice. What do I do?
Start with the N1 Coaches’ Voice FAQs; if you’re still having trouble, contact n1support@coachesvoice.com.
I can’t find the list of USYS State Technical Directors. Where is that?
Here is a list of all those contacts.
Will National 1 reduce travel?
The structure prioritizes regional, drivable competition, while maintaining opportunities for national exposure.
Will National 1 be more affordable?
National 1 is designed to reduce inefficiencies and duplication across competitions, with affordability as a key consideration in the league’s financial model.
What is the National 1 League?
National 1 is a new national league structure designed to make competitive youth soccer clearer and more connected, helping players and families better understand where they play and how they can progress.
What does this mean for my club and team?
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.
How does this help my child?
National 1 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
Will my child have to travel more?
A key focus of National 1 is more localized competition with national travel primarily limited to showcases and postseason events.
Will National 1 be more affordable?
National 1 is designed to reduce inefficiencies and duplication across competitions, with affordability as a key consideration in the league’s financial model.
What ages does National 1 serve?
National 1 will include U-13 through U-19 age groups, utilizing the August 1-July 31 age matrix. Younger age groups (U9-U12) will continue to be served primarily through localized programming.
Does this replace my child’s current league?
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.
Is this only for elite players?
National 1 serves teams at the top of the competitive segment, positioned between local leagues and elite national club-based platforms.
Can my child still be seen by college coaches or scouts?
National 1 will include postseason events and showcases, providing exposure opportunities for college recruitment.
How will this impact player identification programs?
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.
What opportunities exist beyond National 1?
Players can progress through:
- College recruiting pathways
- National scouting events
- Advancement to elite youth platforms
Can my child still play high school soccer?
Yes. District scheduling will consider high school soccer seasons, allowing players the option to participate in both.
Why is National 1 being created?
National 1 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.
Can teams move up to higher national platforms?
National 1 will be the top team-based competition platform within US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. Performance within National 1 will contribute to evaluation for club-based leagues.
Is National 1 team-based or club-based?
National 1 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.
Can clubs have multiple teams in NewComp?
Yes. Teams will be evaluated individually through the application process.
How do teams qualify for National 1?
Qualification pathways from state and local leagues are currently being developed and will balance:
- On-field performance
- Organizational standing
- Regional considerations
If my team played in NL or NPL in 2025–26, are we automatically accepted?
No. All teams must apply for the 2026–27 season, though prior performance in those leagues will be a key consideration.
How will players and teams register?
Players and teams will register through US Club Soccer registration platform, GotSport. For more information on US Club Soccer registration processes, click here.
What should clubs do now?
Clubs should continue participating in their current leagues and stay informed as additional information about National 1 becomes available. Nothing is needed at this time.
Will there be multiple tiers of competition within National 1?
This depends on the district. Please contact your local operator for specific details.
How will club-based teams within NL or NPL transition?
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.
Will National 1 connect to USYS or US Club Soccer cup competitions?
No. There is no connection to existing cup competitions.
How does National 1 affect coaching requirements?
Coaching education standards will be aligned nationally and scaled appropriately by competition level.
Will referee standards change?
Referee training, assignment, and development will become more consistent across regions.
Who assigns referees?
District operators will work with U.S. Soccer-certified assignors to manage referee assignments.
Does National 1 emphasize development, not just results?
While promotion is based on performance, competition standards prioritize long-term player development and safe playing environments.