Does New York City FC hold academy tryouts?
NYCFC Boys Academy · New York City region · Checked October 16, 2026
Yes, through Open Talent ID events and Talent Centers. NYCFC holds one-off Open Talent ID events across the region during the year. Families sign up on the club page to hear when they are scheduled. NYCFC also scouts games it does not announce. Talent Centers are paid training programs that can lead to Academy invitations.
Got a tryout? How to prepare your child, including MLS NEXT → How MLS NEXT tryouts work, in one guide →How recruitment works
Open Talent ID event or scouting, then an Academy invitation.
- 01Open Talent ID events
One-off events through the year for the Recruitment Team and Academy coaches to see players. Sign up on the club page to get dates.
Official page ↗ - 02Talent Centers
A supplemental training program with 24 sessions a year, run alongside a player's own team. Standout players may be invited to the Academy and City Select training. The club says some girls can be identified for NYCFC girls teams.
Official page ↗ - 03Scouting games
The Recruitment Team scouts youth games and tournaments. The club does not announce which ones.
Official page ↗ - 04Camps and clinics
Youth Programs coaches send promising players to the Recruitment Team.
Official page ↗
- New York City and the surrounding region
- Camps, clinics and Talent Centers
- Local clubs, schools and leagues
- Ask who is inviting you: the academy itself, or a camp or paid program run by the club's youth department.
- Ask whether the invitation is for one trial, a training pool or a team place. Pools can run for months.
- Ask in writing about cost, travel and school before you agree to anything.
- Tell your child's current club. MLS academies usually contact the current club first.
What to check before you agree
Practice reading the game while you wait
Soccer IQ is how a player decides what to do before the ball arrives. Our Soccer IQ game shows short match moments and asks your child to choose. It is a free early version. It is for practice and talking together. It does not predict whether a child will be picked.
League and college numbers: Youth soccer in the US: the numbers.
Last verified October 16, 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.
Compare every club: MLS academy tryouts 2026-27, club by club, or read how MLS NEXT tryouts work.
Looking for a local youth club? Find a youth soccer club in New York or New Jersey or see the tryouts calendar.