2026-27 MLS NEXT Season to feature increased opportunity for rising stars to compete against elite competition
Expanded events to draw more than 35,000 players and hundreds of professional and collegiate scouts this season
NEW YORK (September 3, 2026) — MLS NEXT will kick off its seventh season this weekend as the most elite youth player development in North America. With a proven track record of developing top professional and collegiate soccer players, the 2026-27 season will continue to deliver best-in-class competition and development opportunities to prepare the next generation for the highest levels of the game.
Since launching in 2020, MLS NEXT has become a foundational part of the North American soccer ecosystem, bringing together top clubs, coaches, and players under a unified development platform. As this season begins, MLS NEXT remains focused on raising standards on and off the field while supporting the next generation of players on their development pathway.
The 2026-27 campaign also marks the second season featuring two competition tiers — the MLS NEXT Allstate Homegrown Division and the MLS NEXT Academy Division — creating more opportunities for elite players and clubs across North America.
“MLS NEXT continues to set the standard for youth player development in North America,” said Ali Curtis, President, MLS NEXT Pro and EVP of MLS Sporting Development. “We’re incredibly proud of the league we’ve built, and we remain committed to supporting young players with the opportunity to grow, compete, and take meaningful steps forward in their journey."
MLS NEXT alumni continue to make their mark on the pitch, further solidifying the platform as a key driver of the player pathway. At the collegiate level, 1,661 players will take the field this season after competing in MLS NEXT last season. At the professional level, 162 MLS NEXT alumni are on MLS rosters this season, while 30 Homegrown Players have already made their MLS debuts. Since the Homegrown Player Rule began in 2008, 483 homegrown players have played at least one regular season game in the MLS, while total minutes played by homegrown players has increased 82% since 2024. Recent examples include Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan, who featured for Union Academy’s U15 and U17 MLS NEXT teams before progressing to Philadelphia Union II and the first team; and Julian Hall, the Red Bull New York forward who has continued his rise from the club’s academy to standout moments in MLS.
MLS NEXT’s influence also extends across the National Team landscape. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, five MLS NEXT alumni appeared on rosters representing five different nations. In 2025, 95 percent of all U.S. Youth National Team call-ups spent time in MLS NEXT, with more than 250 current or former MLS NEXT players earning selections to U.S. Youth National Teams this year. Globally, approximately 450 MLS NEXT players have been called up to Youth National Teams in 2025, representing 28 countries, underscoring the program’s growing impact across the game.
Expanded MLS NEXT Events Deliver Elite Competition and Visibility for More Players
New for the 2026-27 season, MLS NEXT has increased the number of teams competing at three of its five marquee events including:
- MLS NEXT FEST – December 2-13, 2026
MLS NEXT FEST is the largest youth soccer scouting and talent identification event in North America, featuring more than 1,600 teams from at least 300 clubs across all six MLS NEXT age groups, from U13 to U19. Hundreds of professional, national team and college scouts will evaluate more than 32,000 players across 2,400 matches. New this year, the MLS NEXT Academy Division will introduce a play-in competition across all age groups, creating more opportunities for players to compete in high-quality, meaningful matches while giving teams an additional pathway to qualify for 2027 MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate.
- Generation adidas Cup – March 25-April 2, 2027
One of the most prestigious youth tournaments in global soccer, the 2027 Generation adidas Cup will see MLS academies and top international club academies going head-to-head at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. New this year, the U16 age group will grow from 40 to 48 teams, ensuring every group includes an international club, creating additional opportunities for top emerging talent to compete on a global stage.
- MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate – June 5-13, 2027
The 2026-27 MLS NEXT season culminates at MLS NEXT Cup as the best youth teams in the U.S. and Canada compete for an illustrious MLS NEXT championship. This year, the Homegrown Division will expand from 32 to 48 teams at the U15 through U19 age groups, giving more clubs and players the opportunity to compete in MLS NEXT’s premier postseason competition.
A Focus on Individual Player Development
MLS NEXT continues to advance player development through tools and competition models designed to evaluate players beyond wins and losses.
In 2025, MLS NEXT partnered with Taka, a youth soccer performance-analysis platform, to develop Quality of Play rankings across the U13 and U14 age groups. The rankings use data to measure attacking, defensive, and overall contributions, providing a more complete view of individual and team development.
This season, MLS NEXT will provide all clubs with premium access to Taka, giving every player individual match highlights and performance insights through Taka’s Individual Development Plans.
By incorporating video and analytics, MLS NEXT is helping clubs identify high-potential players earlier, track progress more consistently, and create more personalized development pathways. The result is an environment that rewards technical quality, decision-making, tactical awareness, and long-term growth — the traits needed to prepare players for MLS NEXT Pro, MLS first teams, college soccer, and national team opportunities.
Where the Next Generation Gets Discovered
MLS NEXT uses a structured, year-round approach to identifying top players across the platform.
Through league competition, marquee events, a centralized Talent ID database, a new spring showcase, and expanded Talent ID events across 15 MLS markets, MLS NEXT players will have more opportunities than ever this season to be evaluated, challenged, and supported throughout their development pathway.
These opportunities will help connect players with MLS NEXT clubs, MLS academies, MLS NEXT Pro teams, MLS first teams, college programs, and national team scouts.
With expanded events, increased Talent ID opportunities, and a continued focus on player development, MLS NEXT enters its seventh season positioned to offer more pathways, more visibility, and more opportunities than ever for the game’s next generation of stars.
About MLS NEXT
Launched in 2020, MLS NEXT is the most elite platform for youth player development in North America. With a commitment to innovation and providing access and representation, MLS NEXT players receive the best training and coaching as they prepare for their futures, both in soccer and in life. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.
