USL to implement first promotion and relegation system in United States

According to USL’s official announcement, the soccer league’s club owners have approved the implementation of the promotion and relegation system — a historic move that marks the first such implementation in the country.

Alec Papadakis, USL CEO, emphasized that this decision reflects club owners’ commitment to soccer development in the United States. The new system will be implemented alongside the USL Division One league launch in 2027 — which will compete with Major League Soccer.

The competition structure will consist of three tiers:

• Division One (highest level)
• USL Championship (second division)
• USL League One (third division)

Paul McDonough, USL president, stated that this change will transform the competitive landscape of American soccer. “Fans want something different — they’re drawn to high-stakes competition intensity like we see in European leagues,” he said.

Established in 1986, USL has also developed a women’s pathway, including the USL Super League, which was launched last year. With the World Cup approaching next year, the league is optimistic about building momentum for sport’s future in the United States.