USL Super League (United States) 2026/27

The USL Super League, currently known by its sponsor name the Gainbridge Super League, operates as a professional women’s soccer competition in the United States. Established by the United Soccer League organization, the league secured top-tier status from the United States Soccer Federation in February 2024, positioning it alongside the National Women's Soccer League. The competition runs on a franchise model with no promotion or relegation, utilising a fall-to-spring calendar that transitions to a spring-to-fall schedule starting in 2026.

The league distinguishes itself through its economic structure and player recruitment. Unlike the NWSL, which enforces a salary cap and utilises a collegiate draft, the USL Super League treats players as global free agents and has no salary cap. The organisation aims to maintain lower franchise fees, estimated at around $10 million, compared to the rising costs in the rival league. It also leverages existing USL men's infrastructure and academy pathways rather than operating as an independent entity with a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The current season features nine teams, including Brooklyn FC and Lexington SC, following the folding of Spokane Zephyr FC. The format splits the campaign into Fall and Spring phases, with each team playing 28 regular-season matches. The top four teams advance to a single-elimination playoff featuring semifinals and a final. Lexington SC claimed the most recent title by defeating Carolina Ascent FC 3–1 in extra time, building on the inaugural championship won by Tampa Bay Sun FC.

While the league shares the Division One designation with its primary competitor, the structural differences in financial regulation and player sourcing remain central to its identity. The transition away from the initial calendar and the consolidation of teams mark the current operational phase for the competition.