USL Approves Historic Promotion and Relegation System for U.S. Soccer

The league plans to launch a Division One tier by 2027 or 2028, contingent on meeting U.S. Soccer Federation criteria.

The United Soccer Leagues (USL) has voted to implement a promotion and relegation system, the first of its kind in U.S. professional soccer.
USL aims to launch a new Division One league by 2027 or 2028 to rival Major League Soccer (MLS) and secure top-flight status.
The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) must approve the Division One league, requiring compliance with criteria such as stadium capacity and geographic distribution.
USL President Paul McDonough emphasized the move as a strategy to differentiate the league and increase its relevance in the U.S. soccer market.
Challenges include attracting new clubs to a three-tier system and ensuring compliance with USSF standards across fluctuating league structures.