RICHMOND, Va. (August 28, 2025) - The ECNL Regional League Boys is excited to announce the formation of a new league in California for the 2025-2026 season. The ECNL Regional League Boys - Southern Cal will launch this fall to improve the player development pathway for the top clubs in Southern California.
The ECNL Regional League Boys - Southern Cal creates a clear competitive pyramid in the Southern California area for teams and clubs, providing a merit-based pathway from the ECNL Regional League Boys - Southern Cal into the ECNL Regional League Boys - Southwest. This new platform will also serve as an entry point for clubs interested in pursuing future promotion into ECNL Boys.
Teams from both the ECNL Regional League - Southern Cal and the ECNL Regional League - Southwest will have the opportunity to qualify for the ECNL Regional League Playoffs - West and ultimately, for berths in the ECNL Regional League Finals every year.
The creation of the ECNL Regional League Boys - Southern Cal aligns with a similar competition structure within the ECNL Regional League Girls introduced in 2024 that was met with great success.
"The ECNL Regional League Girls - Southern Cal was a great addition to the league in 2024, and we're excited to replicate that in the ECNL Regional League Boys for the upcoming season," said ECNL Regional League Boys Commissioner Andy Coverstone. "This league will provide great regular-season competition, access to showcases for high-performing teams, and a postseason pathway to a championship. This model has excelled in other areas of the country in the ECNL Regional League and we're excited to bring it to Southern California."
The ECNL Regional League Boys - Southern Cal will launch with 10 ECNL clubs this fall, while 16 more clubs will compete in the ECNL Regional League Boys - Southwest.
Clubs interested in joining the ECNL RL Boys – SoCal in the 2026-2027 season may apply here. This staggered launch approach has been successful in other regions, providing careful growth with clear standards and expectations for all clubs.
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About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation's leading youth soccer development platform for America's top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
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