MLS NEXT Announces Expansion Clubs for the 2025-26 Season

MLS NEXT announced seven new expansion clubs that will debut in the program’s top-tier competition beginning in 2025-26.

Among the even is Tulsa Greenwood SC; the first MLS NEXT club that hails from Oklahoma, which has become the 34th state to be represented in the massive development program.

MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht said of the expansion “These clubs demonstrated a thoughtful commitment to player development that will be extremely valuable to our program.”

“We are excited to welcome all the expansion clubs that will be joining across both MLS NEXT tiers and look forward to the impact they will make.”

“The interest from across the ecosystem emphasizes MLS NEXT’s standing as one of the most elite platforms for player development in the world.”

Notable graduates of the program include Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi and Charlotte’s Aron John.

The full seven-club list is as follows:

• ALBION SC Colorado (Boulder/Denver)

• Chattanooga FC (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

• Huntsville City FC (Huntsville, Ala.)

• Michigan Futbol Academy (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

• Northern Virginia Alliance (Leesburg, Va.)

• The Football Academy (Florham Park, N.J.)

• Tulsa Greenwood SC (Tulsa, Okla.)

MLS NEXT also unveiled the division structure and teams that will participate in the new competitive landscape which had already been released last month.

It will feature over 1,200 teams from 220 clubs that will be broken up into divisions based on region.

The National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association will be tasked with managing and operating the new framework.

The divisional breakdown can be seen below:

• New England (Operated by National Academy League)

• Tri-State (Operated by National Academy League)

• Mid-Atlantic (Operated by National Academy League)

• Carolinas (Operated by National Academy League)

• South (Operated by National Academy League)

• Sunshine (Operated by National Academy League)

• Pioneer (Operated by Cobalt Sports)

• Heartland (Operated by Sporting Development League)

• Great Lakes (Operated by National Academy League)

• North (Operated by National Academy League)

• Pacific Northwest (Operated by Elite Academy League)

• Mountain (Operated by Elite Academy League)

• Northern California (Operated by Cal North Soccer Association)

• Desert (Operated by Cobalt Sports)

• Southern California (Operated by Elite Academy League)

Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn images