Youth soccer in the US: the numbers (2026)
This page collects dated numbers on US youth soccer: top youth leagues, college soccer rules, family costs and age groups. Each number links to the page it comes from. You may quote them with a link to this page (CC BY 4.0).
Updated 20 October 2026. We only list numbers we could read on the source page. These figures describe groups of players. They do not predict any one child's chances. For England, see football academy statistics (UK).
MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is the youth league of Major League Soccer (MLS), the top US men's league.
- 310 clubs, 2,743 teams and more than 53,000 players in the 2026-27 season. This includes all 30 MLS academies. MLS NEXT, 2026-27
- Age groups run from U13 to U19 (six age groups). U13 means players aged 13 and under. MLS NEXT kicks off 2026-27
- 1,661 players in college soccer this season played in MLS NEXT last season. MLS, September 2026
- 162 MLS NEXT alumni are on MLS rosters this season. MLS, September 2026
- 30 homegrown players have made their MLS debut this season. A homegrown player is a player an MLS club signed from its own academy. 483 homegrown players have played at least one MLS regular season game since the rule began in 2008. MLS, September 2026
- 9 of 27 MLS academies in our guides offer an open trial route. The rest recruit by scouting and invitation. (Our data, checked September 2026.) See the MLS NEXT tryouts guide.
ECNL
ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) is a national league for top club teams. It is not run by MLS.
- ECNL Boys: more than 170 clubs in 15 conferences for 2026-27. ECNL Girls: 129 clubs in 10 conferences. ECNL, 12 May 2026
- ECNL Regional League Boys: more than 390 clubs in 26 regional leagues. Girls: more than 375 clubs in 25 regional leagues. ECNL, 12 May 2026
- 14 clubs were promoted into ECNL and 46 into the Regional League for 2026-27. ECNL, 12 May 2026
College soccer: rosters and scholarships
- Division I: NCAA rules no longer set a scholarship limit for each sport. Schools that opt in have a roster limit instead and may give a scholarship to any rostered player. The limit is 28 for men's and women's soccer. Before this change, the limits were 9.9 for men and 14 for women. NCAA, 23 June 2025 and NCAA Bylaw 17.2
- Division II: up to 9.0 full scholarships for a men's team and 9.9 for a women's team. Coaches can split them between many players, so most awards are partial. NCAA Division II
- Division III: schools do not award athletics scholarships. NCAA Division III
- Teams in 2025-26 (NCAA projection from September 2025): men's soccer has 213 Division I, 203 Division II and 407 Division III teams (823 in all). Women's soccer has 350, 260 and 419 (1,029 in all). NCAA sport sponsorship
The NCAA is the main college body. Other bodies, such as NAIA, have their own rules and are not covered here.
What families spend
- The average US sports family spent $1,016 on one child's main sport in 2024. This is up 46% since 2019 and covers all sports. Aspen Institute Project Play, February 2025
- Spending on soccer rose 69% in five years. Aspen Institute Project Play, February 2025
- Costs vary a lot by club and level. Check the fee on each club's own page. We list it on a club guide only when the club states it.
Age groups
- US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer move to an August 1 to July 31 age cycle from the 2026-27 season. Until 2025-26 they used the calendar birth year (January 1 to December 31). U.S. Soccer, player registration
- Under the new cycle, a player born in January to July 2013 is in U14 for 2026-27, and a player born in August to December 2012 is also in U14. US Youth Soccer age matrix (via NYSWYSA)
- Each league and club sets its own rules, so ask your club which age group your child plays in.
Frequently asked questions
How many clubs are in MLS NEXT?
MLS says the 2026-27 MLS NEXT season has more than 53,000 players, 2,743 teams and 310 clubs, including all 30 MLS academies. Age groups run from Under-13 (U13) to Under-19 (U19).
How many clubs are in ECNL?
For 2026-27 the ECNL says its Boys league has more than 170 clubs and its Girls league has 129 clubs. Its Regional League has more than 390 boys clubs and more than 375 girls clubs.
How many college scholarships are there for soccer?
Division I no longer has a fixed scholarship limit in soccer. Schools that opt in have a roster limit of 28 and may give a scholarship to any rostered player. Division II allows 9.0 full scholarships for men and 9.9 for women, which can be split between players. Division III gives no athletics scholarships.
How much do US families spend on youth sports?
The Aspen Institute's 2024 parent survey found the average family spent $1,016 on one child's main sport over the year. This is for all sports together, not only soccer. Soccer spending rose 69% in five years.
What age group is my child in?
US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer move to an August 1 to July 31 age cycle from the 2026-27 season. Your club or league has the final say.
How to cite
Academy Parent, Youth soccer in the US: the numbers (2026), academyparent.com/data/youth-soccer-statistics-us/, updated 20 October 2026. The club figures link to our MLS academy guides.
Found a number that is out of date? Email hello@academyparent.com with the line and the source.