2026-27 MLS NEXT schedule: Key dates to know | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

The 2026-27 MLS NEXT season will be the seventh and largest in league history, expanding national competition and player development opportunities across North America's top youth soccer platform.

More than 53,000 players, 2,743 teams and 310 clubs, including all 30 MLS academies, will feature in over 27,000 matches across the United States and Canada.

2026-27 MLS NEXT: Key dates

MLS NEXT Talent ID Event

MLS NEXT will host Talent ID events from Oct. 9-12 across 13 MLS markets in 11 states (Atlanta, Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minnesota, Nashville, New England, New York, Philadelphia, San Jose, Seattle). 

More than 1,300 top prospects will have the ability to showcase their skills at MLS club training facilities in front of MLS NEXT coaches, as well as professional and national team scouts.

The nationwide initiative will leverage TAKA, a soccer scouting video platform, along with MLS club scouting networks to identify standout players from across the country. Invited prospects will participate in a professional training environment designed to mirror the experience of training like a pro.

MLS NEXT Fest

2026 MLS NEXT Fest will be the largest youth soccer scouting and recruiting event in North America.

Held from December 2-13 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona, the showcase event will feature more than 1,600 teams from at least 300 clubs in all six MLS NEXT age groups (U13 to U19).

The 12-day event will include more than 32,000 players competing in 2,400 matches in front of hundreds of professional, national team and college scouts.

Generation adidas Cup

One of the most prestigious youth tournaments in global soccer, the 2027 Generation adidas Cup will see MLS academies and top international club academies going head-to-head at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from March 25-April 2, 2027.

New for 2027, the U16 field will expand from 40 to 48 teams, with the new format ensuring that every group features an international club. The expanded field will also include dedicated spots for Elite Academies, creating additional opportunities for top emerging talent to compete on a global stage.

The 2027 tournament will also feature the third edition of the Girls Division, in which international club teams compete against Girls Academy teams.

Last year’s Generation adidas Cup saw 18 different international clubs from 14 countries and four continents compete against MLS academies in the tournament.

MLS NEXT Flex presented by Allstate

MLS NEXT Flex presented by Allstate marks the final qualifying competition for 2027 MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate and will be held at the National Training Center in Atlanta from April 29-May 4, 2027.

Teams in each age group are split into groups of four and are seeded based on their performance in league matches from September 2026 to March 2027. The winner of each group will automatically clinch a spot in 2027 MLS NEXT Cup.

New this year, the 14 regular-season Flex Conference winners will compete for the ability to earn a first-round bye at MLS NEXT Cup. The top four teams in the table will secure a bye, while the remaining 10 teams will enter MLS NEXT Cup without a bye.

MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate

The culminating event of the season, 2027 MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate, will feature the top MLS NEXT teams from the regular season competing for a championship across six age groups: U13, U14, U15, U16, U17, and U19. 

The event will be held in Cincinnati from June 5-13, 2027.

The Allstate Homegrown Division will expand from 32 to 48 teams in each of the U15 through U19 age groups, with teams qualifying based on league play, the Pro Player Pathway competition or MLS NEXT Flex presented by Allstate. The expanded field will provide more clubs and players with the chance to compete in MLS NEXT’s premier postseason competition and showcase their abilities against elite competition from across North America. 

Across both divisions at the U13 and U14 age groups, teams in each will qualify based on their Quality of Play standings. Quality of Play rankings evaluate teams and players beyond traditional win-loss-draw standings. Using TAKA's analytical model, the rankings assess the quality of offensive and defensive actions during matches, emphasizing positive in-game moments and long-term development.

In each age group within the MLS NEXT Academy Division, 20 teams will qualify for MLS NEXT Cup Presented by Allstate through league play (QoP for U13/U14), two teams will qualify through the MLS NEXT Cup Play-In, and 10 teams will qualify by winning one of the MLS NEXT Cup Qualifier events.

MLS NEXT Cup Qualifiers

Ten regional tournaments featuring more than 1,600 teams will serve as Academy Division qualifying competitions for MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate. 

Utah Regional

Roseville Regional

Southeast Regional

Florida Regional

Scottsdale Regional

Ohio Regional

Mesa Regional

New Jersey Regional

Kansas Regional

Hammonton Regional