USL to adopt first promotion-relegation system in United States

Soccer

For the first time in United States soccer history, a promotion-relegation system will be coming to the country.

USL club owners voted for promotion-relegation to be implemented, similar to that of the European-style, the league announced Wednesday. The USL previously announced in February that they would be launching a new Division One men’s professional league in 2027.

This new league would rival MLS despite working under the same sanctioning by U.S. Soccer as a professional soccer league.

“A new chapter in American soccer begins. The decision by our owners to approve and move forward with this bold direction is a testament to their commitment to the long-term growth of soccer in the United States,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said in a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for the USL and highlights our shared vision with our team ownership to build a league that not only provides top-tier competition but also champions community engagement. Now, just as it is in the global game, more communities in America can aspire to compete at the highest level of soccer. It’s time.”

The new Division One league stands as the highest of three levels for the USL, that includes the USL Championship (Division Two) and USL League One (Division Three). Promotion-relegation is used in many of the world’s top leagues including the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, and Spanish La Liga, but never looked set to be used in MLS.

The USL launched in 1986 and later announced a women’s pathway that includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024.

U.S. Soccer later voiced its support for the USL’s structure change for its new league.

“The continued investment into the game reflects the strength of the United States as a soccer country, which will only accelerate as we build toward hosting the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” a federation statement said. “We welcome innovation and growth to the landscape of American soccer, and we look forward to learning more.”

Read MoreLarry Henry Jr

Latest

Penn Entertainment’s Shareholders Decide to Slash CEO Pay Package

Penn Entertainment’s shareholders have finally rallied and decided to slash the remuneration package of CEO Jay Snowden this year, with the cap now set at a maximum of $17.4 million from previously $25.3 million.  Penn Entertainment’s Boss Payment Now Restricted to $17.4M As the brand continues to recalibrate and readjust, shareholders have voted in droves

Siya Goyal chose to kill Ketan to not ‘bring disrespect to her family’: Co-accused Chetan reveals motive of Pune case

  Police said Siya and Chetan wanted to “eliminate” Ketan before she and the businessman were scheduled to leave for Bali for a pre-wedding photoshoot. Hoodie In Heat, Phone Left Behind: How Pune Cops Cracked Pune Businessman Murder Case Siya Goyal did not want to walk away from her engagement with Ketan Agarwal and elope

Why higher health cover is becoming the new normal for Indian families

Santosh Puri, Head – Retail Health & Travel Underwriting at Tata AIG General Insurance, and Amit Chhabra, Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar.com, said health insurance adoption in India is improving amid rising medical costs and growing awareness. Consumers are increasingly opting for higher sum insured plans and comprehensive coverage. While insurers are expanding into smaller

HCLTech signs AI-focused deals with Nokia and renewable fuels firm Neste

HCLTech has announced two new partnerships aimed at expanding its AI-led business. The company will work with Nokia on AI-driven network automation for telecom operators and help Finland-based Neste improve efficiency through artificial intelligence and IT transformation. 3 Min Read HCL Technologies Ltd. on Wednesday, June 24, announced two strategic partnerships aimed at boosting its

Newsletter

Don't miss

Penn Entertainment’s Shareholders Decide to Slash CEO Pay Package

Penn Entertainment’s shareholders have finally rallied and decided to slash the remuneration package of CEO Jay Snowden this year, with the cap now set at a maximum of $17.4 million from previously $25.3 million.  Penn Entertainment’s Boss Payment Now Restricted to $17.4M As the brand continues to recalibrate and readjust, shareholders have voted in droves

Siya Goyal chose to kill Ketan to not ‘bring disrespect to her family’: Co-accused Chetan reveals motive of Pune case

  Police said Siya and Chetan wanted to “eliminate” Ketan before she and the businessman were scheduled to leave for Bali for a pre-wedding photoshoot. Hoodie In Heat, Phone Left Behind: How Pune Cops Cracked Pune Businessman Murder Case Siya Goyal did not want to walk away from her engagement with Ketan Agarwal and elope

Why higher health cover is becoming the new normal for Indian families

Santosh Puri, Head – Retail Health & Travel Underwriting at Tata AIG General Insurance, and Amit Chhabra, Chief Business Officer at Policybazaar.com, said health insurance adoption in India is improving amid rising medical costs and growing awareness. Consumers are increasingly opting for higher sum insured plans and comprehensive coverage. While insurers are expanding into smaller

HCLTech signs AI-focused deals with Nokia and renewable fuels firm Neste

HCLTech has announced two new partnerships aimed at expanding its AI-led business. The company will work with Nokia on AI-driven network automation for telecom operators and help Finland-based Neste improve efficiency through artificial intelligence and IT transformation. 3 Min Read HCL Technologies Ltd. on Wednesday, June 24, announced two strategic partnerships aimed at boosting its

CLARITY Act News: Odds Crash to 48% as Senate Talks Break Down and Opposition Widens

The future of U.S. crypto regulation has entered a critical phase, and the highly anticipated CLARITY Act is now facing fresh roadblocks just as lawmakers race against the clock. In this update, we dive into the latest CLARITY Act News and what it means for the industry. According to journalist Eleanor Terrett, a coalition of

Business Insurance-AZ Achieves Record Response Times for 2026 Arizona Construction Bids

Business Insurance-AZ achieves milestone response speeds for commercial construction bids across Arizona, accelerating documentation delivery to keep local projects moving forward without delay. Phoenix, AZ, June 06-2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Business Insurance-AZ has achieved record-breaking processing speeds and response times for commercial construction bids throughout Arizona, directly supporting the state’s massive infrastructure and advanced manufacturing boom

Business delegation visits Kazakhstan to strengthen economic and trade cooperation

Astana, Kazakhstan, Jun 2, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - A business delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, and organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), began its visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 1 June. During the visit, a total of 43

13 Real Business Trip Stories That Prove Work Travel Collects More Stories Than Miles

Real business trips almost never go the way the itinerary promised. They start with a confidently-packed suitcase and an eight-page agenda, and somewhere between the airport gate and the hotel breakfast they quietly turn into something nobody could have invented — equal parts comedy, chaos, and unscheduled adventure. These 13 real business trip moments are exactly that kind of work-trip plot