NPSL (United States) 2025/26

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) operates as an amateur competition in the United States, founded in 2003 by Jerry Zanelli. Originally launched as the Men's Premier Soccer League (MPSL) as an offshoot of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), the league is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). It is informally recognized as Division IV in the American soccer pyramid, though it functions independently of the United States Soccer Federation's professional pyramid.

The structure typically accommodates between 75 and 90 teams, split into four regions and eight conferences. Play runs from May through July, culminating in a single-elimination playoff tournament. Conference winners progress to regional playoffs, with the four regional champions meeting in national semi-finals and a final to crown the winner. The current titleholder is El Farolito SC. The league also secures automatic berths for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with seven teams qualifying based on league results in 2025.

A key distinction for the NPSL is its broader amateur eligibility, which allows college players to compete without losing their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) status. This feature supports independent community clubs rather than relying solely on developmental academies. The most successful organizations include Miami FC and El Farolito SC, each holding two national titles. Miami FC claimed victory in 2019, while its reserve team, Miami FC 2, won in 2018. El Farolito secured championships in 2024 and 2025.

The NPSL does not feature promotion or relegation. It remains separate from USL League Two, which is another Division IV amateur league but owned by the United Soccer Leagues and focuses on its own draft system. Similarly, it differs from MLS Next Pro, a Division III professional reserve league. The NPSL’s identity is rooted in its independent status and its role as a platform for community-based football.