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The United Soccer League (USL) has made history by introducing a European-style promotion and relegation system, set to take effect by the 2027-28 season.
In a groundbreaking move for American football, the United Soccer League (USL) has officially voted to implement promotion and relegation, becoming the first professional sports league in the U.S. to adopt the widely used global model. The system will be introduced by the 2027-28 season, coinciding with the launch of USL Division One, a newly established top tier.
For decades, promotion and relegation has been a fundamental part of leagues across Europe, South America, and beyond, but the concept had never been embraced in the United States, largely due to financial concerns. With teams traditionally protected from relegation, owners feared a loss of revenue and prestige that comes with dropping to a lower division.
However, in a landmark decision, a supermajority of USL club owners voted in favor of the change.
"A new chapter in American soccer begins," said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. "This is a significant milestone for the USL and highlights our shared vision to build a league that not only provides top-tier competition but also champions community engagement."
How the USL promotion and relegation system will work
The new three-tiered structure will see teams move between divisions based on performance, eliminating meaningless matches at the end of the season and adding higher stakes to every fixture.
USL President Paul McDonough emphasized the fan demand for a more dynamic competition structure, stating:
"U.S. fans and stakeholders have been clear—they want something different. They're drawn to the intensity of high-stakes competition, where more matches have real consequences—just like we see in European leagues."
Meanwhile, Major League Soccer (MLS) will remain a closed league, where its 30 teams are guaranteed participation regardless of performance. However, USL's bold move could increase pressure on MLS to eventually reconsider its own structure.
With promotion and relegation set to reshape the landscape of U.S. soccer, the USL hopes to build a more competitive and engaging league, paving the way for a new era in American football.