2023
AUGUST
ECNL launches the initial ECNL Conference Cup, a mini-game tournament competition for top players across multiple age groups, to replace the National Training Camp.
APRIL
First ECNL Methodology Workshop led by Dr. Ceri Bowley held in Rock Hill, S.C.
JANUARY
Dr. Ceri Bowley becomes ECNL Technical Advisor to provide expertise and resources on club development and methodology
2022
JULY
ECNL Boys hosts the largest post-season playoff in history, with nearly 400 teams combined from ECNL Boys and ECNL Boys Regional League participating
NOVEMBER
ECNL adds Continental Tire as the Official Sponsor of the ECNL National Selection Game series and other special programming
2021
NOVEMBER
ECNL adds HUDL as the league’s video analysis technology partner to support player development and recruitment.
AUGUST
ECNL Girls Regional League expands to nearly 20 leagues nation-wide with the addition of ECNL RL NorCal, a collaboration with NorCal Premier Soccer providing a pathway for all teams and clubs in Northern California
2020
SEPTEMBER
The ECNL rebrands with fresh look and brand and launches “Breaking the Line” the ECNL podcast
AUGUST
ECNL 2020-21 Season Kicks off, with 113 Girls & 131 Boys Clubs
ECNL Boys Announce Start of ECNL Boys Regional Leagues
JULY
Dr. Cristina Fink Joins as ECNL Mental Performance Advisor
MAY
Dr. Drew Watson Joins as ECNL Chief Medical Advisor
APRIL
Launch of Online Coaching Education Scholarship Program
MARCH
ECNL Boys host first Conference Selection Program & Super Cup Event
2019
DECEMBER
ECNL collaborates with the International Champions Cup (ICC) to create unprecedented international youth club competition for boys and girls, featuring ECNL All-Star Teams (both boys and girls) and top ECNL girls clubs teams, ICC Futures powered by ECNL.
NOVEMBER
ECNL Girls Launch National Selection Game Series
First ECNL Boys Featured Match of the Day played in Las Vegas, NV
AUGUST
ECNL 2019-20 Season Kicks off with 94 Girls & 90 Boys Clubs;ECNL Boys expand into Under-13 age group
ECNL Girls Announce Start of ECNL Regional Leagues
ECNL 2018-19 Season Starts with 89 Girls & 71 Boys Clubs
JUNE
ECNL Girls Postseason expands to include U13 & U18/19 Composite
APRIL
PUMA North America Becomes Official ECNL Boys Apparel Partner
2018
DECEMBER
ECNL International Coaching Program travels to Lisbon, Portugal for coaching education with Raymond Verheijen’s World Football Academy and Benfica
JULY
ECNL Girls Partners w/Womens ICC for Integrated National Training Camp with Paris St-Germain & Manchester City Women
ECNL Boys Partners with Bahamian Football Association to Host First-Ever National Training Camp in Nassau, Bahamas
JUNE – JULY
ECNL Boys Participate in First ENPL Postseason, claiming 4 of 5 ENPL National Championship
2017
DECEMBER
ECNL International Coaching Program travels to Valencia, Spain for coaching education with Raymond Verheijen’s World Football Academy and Valencia CF
AUGUST
ECNL Boys is created to expand the league’s reach to youth male soccer players, and launches with 57 inaugural member clubs.
ECNL Girls 2017-18 Season features 80 member clubs
FEBRUARY
ECNL launches the inaugural ECNL Coaching Symposium with US Club Soccer’s LaLiga Methodology, Level 3 Course in La Jolla, Calif.
2016
AUGUST
The ECNL 2016-17 Season starts with 84 member clubs
2015
AUGUST
79 member clubs kick off the 2015-16 ECNL season
JUNE
ECNL launches The Zone at its National Event to provide athlete recovery and education, as well as a new social experience on-site.
ECNL restructures its postseason to include 3 tiers: Champions League, North American Cup and Showcase Cup
FEBRUARY
ECNL creates the HER Coaching Scholarship Program to assist ECNL alums and current female coaches in continuing their coach education
2014
AUGUST
The 2014-15 Season gets underway with 77 member clubs
JUNE
The ECNL Playoffs return to Seattle, Wash., for first-time since the league’s inaugural National Championship in July 2010.
FEBRUARY
The first ever ECNL Conference Player Development Program (PDP) is held in Madison, WI bringing together top players from across the Midwest.
2013
NOVEMBER
The ECNL hires its first full-time Commissioner
AUGUST
The 2013-14 Season Commences with 76 member clubs
JUNE
The ECNL Champions League and ECNL North American Cup are played for the first time at the ECNL Playoffs in Aurora, Colo., featuring the top 64 teams in a two-stage Postseason concluding in Richmond, Va.
2012
AUGUST
73 clubs start the 2012-13 season in a new ECNL Competition Structure based primarily upon regional conference competition, supplemented by national events.
2011
AUGUST
ECNL expands to 66 total clubs and to include the U14 age group in an approximate 30-game schedule, establishing the league as the primary competition platform for these clubs.
JULY
Most ECNL clubs participate in USYS State Cup and Regionals for the final time, sweeping almost every 2011 USYS Regional and National Championship.
FEBRUARY
First ever ECNL National Training Camp is held in conjunction with US Club Soccer’s id2 at Florida State University.
2010
SEPTEMBER
First ever ECNL “regional” games are held in Libertyville, Ill.
AUGUST
ECNL expands to 52 clubs and adds the U18 age group, paving the way for a 16-game annual schedule comprised of ECNL National Showcases and a few supplemental regional matches.
JUNE
ECNL announces Nike Soccer as league sponsor
2009
AUGUST
ECNL is formed with 40 founding clubs, including 2,000+ players in the U15, U16, & U17 age groups. Teams play 9 regular season games at various ECNL National Showcases in order to qualify for an event-based ECNL National Championship.
MARCH
A presentation to nearly 60 clubs across the country in Las Vegas, Nev. presents the idea of a new youth competition and development platform named the Elite Clubs National League, and invites all attending to join.
