The MLS NEXT 2025-26 season is poised to be a turning point in youth soccer across North America. With a record 273 clubs, 2,189 teams, and over 43,000 players, the league has grown into the premier platform for young talent. From its inception in 2020, MLS NEXT has focused on preparing the next generation of professionals. Now in its sixth season, it has expanded its structure, added new showcase events, and spotlighted future stars.

Across more than 28,000 matches throughout the entire season, players from the U.S. and Canada will have unprecedented opportunities to compete in front of scouts, coaches, and fans. And with five marquee national and international tournaments anchoring the season, 2025-26 promises to be the most competitive year yet.

Dates and Venues: December 4-15, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona (Arizona Athletic Grounds & Reach 11 Sports Complex).

Number of Teams and Scouts: Featuring more than 1,000 teams from 200+ clubs and 30,000 players in action across nearly 1,850 matches. Hundreds of scouts from professional clubs, college programs, and national teams will be in attendance.

Connection to Generation adidas Cup: MLS NEXT Fest also serves as a qualifier for the prestigious Generation adidas Cup, giving top teams the chance to test themselves against international competition.

Tournament Prestige and Global Reach: Held March 27–April 4, 2026, at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, this is one of the most prestigious youth tournaments worldwide.

Inclusion of the Girls Division: Now in its second year, the Girls Division gives young women the chance to compete against international academies, further elevating the importance of the event.

International Clubs Competing: Last year’s tournament featured 18 international clubs from 14 countries — proof of MLS and U.S. Soccer’s growing global appeal.

Structure and Qualification Process: Taking place April 23–28, 2026, at the Toyota Soccer Complex in Frisco, Texas, Flex splits teams into groups of four. Each group’s winner automatically qualifies for the MLS NEXT Cup.

Path to MLS NEXT Cup: Flex is critical for teams looking to secure their place in the Cup, especially if league play hasn’t gone their way.

Event Location and Schedule: The season-ending championship will be held May 23-31, 2026, at the Regional Athletics Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah, with finals at America First Field, home of Real Salt Lake.

Homegrown Division Structure: In U15 to U19 age groups, 32 teams qualify based on league performance, MLS NEXT Flex results, or professional pathway invitations.

Academy Division Pathway: In U13 and U14, teams compete in both Championship and Premier brackets. U15 to U19 Academy Division teams qualify through league play or Cup qualifiers.

Format of the All-Star Match: The East vs. West game will feature 44 of the best MLS NEXT players from the 2025-26 season.

Integration with MLS All-Star Week: Played in Charlotte, NC, during MLS All-Star Week, it offers young players a chance to be part of the full All-Star experience, including training, events, and exposure on a global stage.

One of the most important changes this year is the introduction of the MLS NEXT Academy Division. This tier allows more elite youth clubs to compete at a high level while preserving the Homegrown Division as the top competitive tier, where MLS academies and elite partners battle for national recognition.

Participation numbers have skyrocketed. Compared to the program’s launch in 2020, the 2025-26 season includes 30 MLS academies and 243 elite academies, creating a more inclusive but still competitive environment.

MLS NEXT is now the largest youth soccer platform on the continent, with competition spanning coast to coast. New clubs like Albion SC Colorado, Chattanooga FC, and Tulsa Greenwood SC further extend the league’s footprint.

MLS NEXT is more than a youth league — it’s a pipeline to professional careers. Over 100 MLS NEXT alumni appeared in MLS matches in 2024-25, and the numbers keep climbing. Players like Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union) and Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) once came through these pathways.

With events like the Girls Division of Generation adidas Cup and expanded Academy Division, MLS NEXT is ensuring that elite soccer development is more accessible and inclusive than ever before.

The MLS NEXT 2025-26 season sets the stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. With global attention on the region, the development of youth talent is more critical than ever. Scouts from Europe, South America, and beyond are watching MLS NEXT closer than ever, hoping to identify the next big stars.