With the arrival of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring the world’s premier football tournament to the United States, Canada and Mexico, the United Soccer League (USL) is seizing the moment to reshape the football landscape in the country. While the World Cup will be played in huge NFL stadiums in large metropolitan areas, the USL has a different vision: to expand top-level football to smaller cities and states across the country.

Last week, the USL announced its intention to launch a men’s Premier League in 2027, which will operate in parallel to Major League Soccer (MLS). This bold move could replicate the impact MLS had when it was launched in 1996 following the 1994 World Cup. If successful, this new league could redefine football in the United States, bringing the sport to more communities and offering a fresh alternative to the current football structure.

AMERICAN BUT WITH GLOBAL APPEAL

USL president Paul McDonough stressed the importance of expanding football beyond the big cities, telling ‘The Guardian’ that “if we’re really going to be a football nation, we need to have world-class football in more states and more cities across the country.” The new league seeks to differentiate itself from MLS by maintaining the current USL structure, which gives clubs more autonomy compared to MLS’ single-entity model. This independence could attract teams with unique identities and foster a more diverse football culture.

While the USL plans to align itself with successful global football practices, it also wants to retain a distinctly American charm. Elements such as playoffs, team nicknames and unique match presentations will remain part of the league’s identity, serving as a selling point to both domestic and international audiences. The league’s ability to balance global appeal with local flavor could be key to its success.

PROMOTION, RELEGATION AND FLEXIBILITY

One of the most intriguing possibilities for the new league is the introduction of a promotion and relegation system. The USL already operates leagues at Division II (USL Championship), Division III (League One) and semi-professional levels (League Two). Adding a Division One league at the top of this pyramid could pave the way for a system that allows teams to move between divisions based on their performance. This would not only differentiate the USL from MLS, but also make it more familiar to international football fans.

However, implementing a promotion and relegation system would require significant flexibility on the part of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The current Professional League Standards impose strict financial and operational requirements on Premier League teams, such as a minimum net worth of $70 million for ownership groups. For the system to work, USSF would need to adapt these standards to support smaller, successful teams moving up, while ensuring that relegated teams remain sustainable.

ACCESSIBILITY AND MEDIA STRATEGY

For the new league to be successful, it must be accessible to both local and international fans. Affordable ticket prices will be crucial to filling stadiums, while media and television deals will play a key role in reaching a wider audience. The USL already streams matches internationally on YouTube and has national TV deals with ESPN and CBS, which expire in 2026 and 2027, respectively. This timing could allow the league to renegotiate deals with the promise of top-tier football, ensuring that games are available on platforms that fans already use for other sports.

In contrast to MLS’s current deal with Apple, which places most matches behind a paywall, the USL could focus on greater availability to attract casual viewers. Expanding its presence in traditional and digital media, such as radio, magazines and pub TVs, could also help the league break into the mainstream sports landscape.

NEW ERA FOR FOOTBALL IN THE U.S.

The launch of a USL Premier League in 2027 comes at an exciting time for football in the United States. MLS is entering its 30th season, two women’s professional leagues are thriving, and some of the best male and female players in history are finishing their careers in the country. With the USL’s bold plans, the football ecosystem in the United States could be on the verge of a transformation, bringing the sport to more communities and deepening its roots across the country.