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NWSL Unveils Plan for Division II Women’s Soccer League in 2026The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has taken a significant step toward expanding the landscape of women’s professional soccer in the United States by formally applying to the U.S. Soccer Federation for a Division II league set to launch in 2026.
The proposal, submitted on April 1, 2025, and confirmed to media outlets on April 25, aims to create a developmental pipeline for players, coaches, and officials, addressing a long-standing gap in the U.S. women’s soccer system.
Eight NWSL clubs—Bay FC, Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage, NJ/NY Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, Racing Louisville FC, Seattle Reign FC, and Washington Spirit—have committed to fielding reserve teams in the inaugural season, which will feature a 14-game regular-season schedule in a double round-robin format. The league plans for all 16 NWSL clubs, including the 2026 expansion teams in Boston and a yet-to-be-announced 16th franchise, to have affiliated second-tier teams within four years.
Unaffiliated clubs may also join in the future, broadening the league’s reach.NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the league’s focus on player development, stating, “This is about developing the path from the youth levels to the professional level.”
The Division II league will serve as a proving ground for college players, young prospects, and recovering athletes, offering them exposure to the technical, tactical, and mental demands of professional soccer. It will also provide opportunities for coaches and referees to refine their skills and for clubs to test innovative marketing strategies to grow the sport’s fan base. The initiative comes at a time of unprecedented growth in women’s soccer, with the NWSL expanding to 14 teams in 2024 and planning for 16 by 2026. The proposed league meets U.S. Soccer’s Division II requirements, including a minimum of six teams in year one, stadiums with at least 2,000 seats, and half the teams in metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 500,000.
By leveraging existing NWSL infrastructure, the league ensures compliance with these standards. However, the NWSL’s plan faces competition. The Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) Pro, backed by groups like the Cleveland Soccer Group, has also applied for Division II sanctioning to launch in 2026, targeting smaller markets and players cut from NWSL rosters.
Both leagues await U.S. Soccer’s approval, and there’s no rule preventing multiple Division II leagues, potentially leading to a combined 50 professional women’s teams by 2026.
This dual push for second-tier leagues underscores the surging demand for women’s soccer in the U.S., fueled by rising fan interest and major upcoming events like the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The NWSL’s Division II league, if approved, could solidify its position as a global leader in women’s soccer, fostering the next generation of stars while expanding opportunities for communities and investors.
