KC Reporter

MLS NEXT has announced new names for its competition tiers ahead of the 2025-26 season. The top tier will be called the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division, while a new tier is being introduced as the MLS NEXT Academy Division. This change is part of an expansion that will more than double the number of participating players and clubs in the program.

The expansion aims to reinforce MLS NEXT’s position as a leading youth soccer platform in North America. In recent years, the program has produced players who have moved on to compete in Major League Soccer (MLS), MLS NEXT Pro, NCAA programs, and with professional clubs and national teams internationally. For the first time, over 100 alumni have appeared in MLS regular-season matches this year, with new records set for minutes played and goals scored by these players.

The upcoming 2025-26 season will see a record participation of 273 clubs, 2,189 teams, and more than 43,000 players competing in over 28,000 matches across North America.

“Today’s announcement of the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division and the MLS NEXT Academy Division marks a significant evolution in our program,” said Kyle Albrecht, MLS NEXT General Manager. “The Homegrown Division is the standard for player development in North America, offering a clear pathway to the professional game, while the Academy Division illustrates our commitment to elite competition and creating opportunities for all players to reach their highest potential.”

The Homegrown Division serves as the top level within MLS NEXT and maintains a direct connection to the professional player pathway. All official MLS academies will compete alongside 122 non-MLS Elite Academies in this division. Many young athletes from these groups go on each year to sign their first professional contracts as homegrown players within Major League Soccer.

The newly named Academy Division provides expanded opportunities for clubs outside of the existing MLS ecosystem. More than half of these clubs previously competed outside of MLS NEXT but now gain access to similar competitive environments and developmental resources. This step aims to broaden scouting exposure and strengthen youth player development across North America.

With this expansion, December’s annual event—MLS NEXT Fest—will become North America's largest youth soccer scouting and recruiting gathering. Scheduled from December 4-15 at Arizona Athletic Grounds and Reach 11 Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona, it will feature over 1,000 teams from at least 200 clubs across six age groups (U13-U19). The event expects hundreds of scouts evaluating more than 30,000 players during nearly 1,850 matches. The showcase also offers an opportunity for Elite Academies to qualify for future competitions such as the Generation adidas Cup.

Further details about other events like Generation adidas Cup, MLS NEXT Flex, and MLS NEXT Cup are expected to be announced next month.

Launched in 2020 as an elite platform for youth soccer development across North America, MLS NEXT now includes participation from both U.S. and Canadian teams with support from partners such as adidas.