RICHMOND, Va. (May 29, 2025) - The ECNL Regional League is thrilled to launch the ECNL Regional League Leaders Cup, a unique new annual competition event starting in the 2025-2026 season for top ECNL RL teams across the country. The ECNL RL Leaders Cup will reward top performers in the ECNL Regional League, both boys and girls, with a qualification-based, invitation-only championship event once per year.
"The ECNL RL Leaders Cup will provide exciting new competition and exposure for ECNL Regional League clubs, rewarding top teams based on their proven results over the previous year," said ECNL Regional League Commissioner Chris Leahey. "The event will be a true best-of-the-best competition for the chance to win a meaningful championship, and will be a collegiate recruiting hotbed for these players."
In the 2025-26 season, the ECNL RL Girls Leaders Cup will be held at ECNL Florida (Spring) from Feb. 27 - March 1, 2026, and ECNL RL Boys Leaders Cup will take place at ECNL Indy from April 10-12, 2026.
The 2026 ECNL RL Leaders Cup will feature the top 20 clubs from ECNL RL Boys and ECNL RL Girls, based on their 2024-25 regular season performance, and then the next best 12 individual teams in each age group based on previous year regular season performance. In total, a field of 32 teams in each age group will qualify for the event. The ECNL RL Boys Leaders Cup will feature the U17 and U18/19 age groups, while the ECNL RL Girls Leaders Cup will include competition in the U15 - U18/19 age groups.
In each age group, teams will be placed into eight groups of four teams. Competition throughout the event will be in 50 minute mini-games, providing a fast-paced and exciting atmosphere. Teams will play two group games on Day 1, and on Day 2 will play a group game and either a quarterfinal or consolation match. Day 3 will feature the semifinal and final matches for top teams, as well as a final placement match for all other teams. In total, every team will participate in five games at the RL Leaders Cup event, with the finalists in each age group playing in six.
Beyond the unique competition format, the ECNL RL Leaders Cups will run concurrently with established ECNL and ECNL Regional League national events. The combination of the ECNL RL Leaders Cup, other ECNL Regional League showcase matches, and ECNL showcase matches, all on the same weekend, will create an unprecedented weekend of competition, showcasing, and memories for all players.
The participating clubs and teams who have qualified for the 2026 ECNL RL Leaders Cup, along with schedules and groups, will be announced at a later date.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation's leading youth soccer development platform. The ECNL respects and celebrates the unique individuality of every youth soccer player and club, supporting and enabling them to unleash their unfettered passion and fierce tenacity in striving to achieve their potential.
The ECNL mission to Raise the Game is a total commitment to create the best possible environment for players, coaches, referees and administrators, with a determination to constantly question convention and challenge the status quo in youth sports.
The ECNL Commitment:
We will lead, set our eyes on new horizons, and pursue them relentlessly. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
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