MLS NEXT Welcomes Seven New Clubs for 2025-26 Season

NEW YORK (Friday, February 28, 2025) – MLS NEXT has announced that seven new clubs will join its top-tier competition starting in the 2025-26 season, enhancing the program’s commitment to elite youth soccer development.

The newly joining clubs include ALBION SC Colorado, Michigan Futbol Academy, Northern Virginia Alliance, The Football Academy, and Tulsa Greenwood SC, all of which will compete across all age groups in MLS NEXT from U13 to U19. Notably, Tulsa Greenwood SC will mark the first MLS NEXT club in Oklahoma, extending the program’s reach to 34 states, including the District of Columbia.

Additionally, three clubs affiliated with MLS NEXT Pro—Chattanooga FC, Huntsville City FC, and Michigan Futbol Academy—are set to join in the fall of 2025. Huntsville City FC stands out as the first MLS NEXT Pro club to establish an independent MLS NEXT academy, while Michigan Futbol Academy will have ties with the MLS NEXT Pro team based in Grand Rapids.

“After a rigorous expansion process, these clubs have shown a serious dedication to player development that will greatly benefit our program,” said MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht. “We are thrilled to welcome these expansion clubs across both tiers of MLS NEXT and are eager to see the impact they will make.”

MLS NEXT also revealed the division structure for the new competition tier, which will consist of over 1,200 teams from more than 220 clubs. Notably, more than half of these clubs previously competed outside the MLS NEXT framework. Each division will be overseen by leading league operators focused on youth player development, including the National Academy League, Elite Academy League, Sporting Development League, Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association.

The regular season is set to commence in September 2025, coinciding with regional tournaments and opportunities for clubs to participate in MLS NEXT national events, coaching development, and education programs. The regional tournaments will serve as qualifiers for the championship event at the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs scheduled for later in 2026. This setup is expected to attract college, professional, and national team scouts, providing critical visibility for young players.

Further details on the division structure and the participating clubs will be released soon. For more information on MLS NEXT, visit their official website.