Does New York Red Bulls hold academy tryouts?
Red Bull Training Facility, Whippany, New Jersey · Whippany and Harrison, New Jersey · Checked September 7, 2026
The Red Bulls Academy itself does not run open tryouts, but the door in is the Regional Development School, which does hold free try-outs year round for players aged 7 to 14. The club says over 95 percent of Academy players progressed through RDS first. RDS Talent Centers, run with affiliate clubs, charge a 30 dollar tryout registration fee. Families can also apply directly for an Academy trial through the player identification form, though the club says it cannot respond to every applicant.
Got a tryout? How to prepare your child, including MLS NEXT → How MLS NEXT tryouts work, in one guide →How recruitment works
Progress through Youth Camps, then RDS, then Pre-Academy or direct scouting, culminating in an Academy trial invitation. Academy itself is free.
- 01Regional Development School try-outs
Free try-outs held year round in spring, summer, fall and winter cycles for ages 7 to 14. The club's most successful pathway into the Academy, with players who impress entered into a development database.
Official page ↗ - 02RDS Talent Centers
Advanced supplementary sessions run with Red Bulls Academy affiliate clubs. Cost-free training once selected, but try-out registration carries a 30 dollar non-refundable fee.
Official page ↗ - 03Academy player identification application
Direct application for a trial. The club's scouts also watch matches weekly and always contact a player's current club first before reaching out to a family.
Official page ↗ - 04Scouted at Academy Affiliate clubs
The Red Bulls Academy Affiliate program partners with elite clubs across the region. Academy scouts attend Elite Talent Identification sessions hosted by these affiliates.
Official page ↗
- Northern and central New Jersey
- New York City and Long Island
- Connecticut and the wider tri-state area
- The club recruits nationally in some cases, with a homestay and school program for players relocating
- Ask whether the invitation is to RDS, a Talent Center, or the Academy itself. RDS is a feeder program, not a roster spot.
- If your child is doing well in RDS, ask about Showcase Tournament eligibility, since that is the recognised route to Academy consideration.
- For a Talent Center, check whether the 30 dollar fee is refunded if your child is not selected, since it is described as non-refundable.
- If the club does not recommend your child from RDS, you can still apply directly for the Academy on your own behalf.
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.
- New York Red Bulls, RDS FAQ ↗
- New York Red Bulls, About RDS ↗
- New York Red Bulls, RDS Talent Centers ↗
- New York Red Bulls, Academy Player Identification ↗
- New York Red Bulls, Red Bulls Training Facility ↗
Updated October 16, 2026. Last verified September 7, 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us so we can check the page.
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