USL Becomes First U.S. Pro League to Embrace Global Promotion and Relegation System
In a groundbreaking move set to reshape American soccer, the United Soccer League (USL) has announced the adoption of a promotion and relegation system across its professional tiers. This historic decision brings the USL in line with global soccer standards, introducing a structure that has long been the foundation of European leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga.
USL’s Bold Move in U.S. Soccer
On March 19, 2025, a supermajority of USL club owners voted to implement the model, making the USL the first professional sports league in the United States to fully embrace promotion and relegation.
The system will link three men’s professional divisions under the USL banner: 
- USL Championship (Division II)
- USL League One (Division III)
- The newly announced USL Division One (Division I), set to launch in the 2027-28 season.
Teams will now earn promotion to higher divisions or face relegation based on seasonal performance—raising the stakes for clubs, players, and fans alike.
Global Context: Promotion and Relegation
Promotion and relegation is at the core of international soccer culture. From England’s Premier League to Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga, leagues worldwide rely on this system to maintain competitive intensity and ensure that every match matters.
⚽ What is Promotion and Relegation?
In promotion and relegation, teams move between divisions based on their performance. Top-performing clubs in lower tiers are promoted, while struggling clubs in upper tiers are relegated to lower divisions at season’s end.
Unlike playoff-driven U.S. models, this system creates constant jeopardy and opportunity—clubs battle not just for championships but for their league status.
Most U.S. leagues, including MLS, operate under a closed model where teams remain in the same division regardless of performance.
A First for U.S. Pro Soccer, but Not Entirely New
While the USL is the first professional league in U.S. soccer to adopt promotion and relegation, it’s not without precedent. The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), an amateur and semi-pro competition, has operated a promotion and relegation system within its regional conferences for years. However, the USL’s move marks the first time the model will be implemented at a professional level with national impact.
Implications for American Soccer
The USL’s move represents a bold departure from the norm in American sports. By aligning more closely with international models, the league aims to create a more dynamic, merit-driven structure—rewarding sporting success and enhancing fan engagement.
“This is a significant milestone for the USL,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “It highlights our shared vision with our team ownership to build a league that not only provides top-tier competition but also champions community engagement.”
USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough added, “Promotion and relegation transforms the competitive landscape of American soccer… This shift challenges the status quo and brings excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”
From the club viewpoint, Mitch Baruchowitz, Westchester Soccer Club owner says, “One of the most important reasons we have formed and launched Westchester SC is the belief that USL embodies the most cohesive plan to grow the game of soccer at every level in North America.”
“This announcement of promotion and relegation further aligns with our vision as a professional club in the most prosperous area of the United States to be part of a system that fits almost perfectly and logically with the way soccer is run in the rest of the world; it rewards excellence on the pitch and forces clubs to lean in on every area, especially on the development and cultivation of athletic talent.”
Contrasting with Major League Soccer’s Model
While the USL is embracing global norms, Major League Soccer (MLS) continues to operate as a closed league. Since launching in 1996 with 10 teams, MLS has expanded to 30 franchises—including the latest addition, San Diego, which joined after paying a $500 million expansion fee.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has argued that the league’s significant investment in clubs and infrastructure makes relegation impractical. The MLS model focuses on financial stability and controlled growth, in sharp contrast to the merit-based movement the USL is introducing.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching and international attention on U.S. soccer growing, the USL’s adoption of promotion and relegation positions the league as a disruptor—and potentially a model for others in North America.
Further details on the system’s rollout are expected later this year as the USL prepares to launch its Division One league in the 2027-28 season.
Perspective: Promotion & Relegation Around the World … Where the System Thrives
Promotion and relegation thrives in nearly every major soccer nation outside the U.S., especially across Europe and South America. The USL’s adoption of promotion and relegation places it alongside the world’s most prestigious soccer leagues. For decades, this model has defined global soccer, where every match matters—and clubs rise or fall based on merit.
Here are five leagues where promotion and relegation fuel fierce competition and dramatic storylines year after year:
1. English Football (Premier League / EFL)
- The Premier League operates with relegation to the EFL Championship, and promotion back up via playoffs or automatic spots.
- Famous example:
- Leicester City: Relegated to the Championship in 2004, returned to the Premier League, and famously won the EPL title in 2016.
- Leeds United: Spent 16 years outside the EPL after relegation before returning in 2020.
- Sunderland: A well-known former Premier League club, now competing in the Championship after successive relegations.
2. Spain (La Liga / Segunda División)
- The La Liga system relegates teams to the Segunda División annually.
- Famous example:
- Real Betis: Relegated multiple times but returned to La Liga and won the Copa del Rey in 2022.
- Rayo Vallecano: A small Madrid-based club that has bounced between divisions but now consistently competes in La Liga.
3. Germany (Bundesliga / 2. Bundesliga)
- The Bundesliga operates with direct relegation and a playoff for the 16th-placed team.
- Famous example:
- VfB Stuttgart: One of Germany’s most historic clubs, has experienced multiple relegations but regularly fights its way back to the Bundesliga.
- Union Berlin: Promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, and now competing in European competitions.
4. Italy (Serie A / Serie B)
- Serie A relegates three teams each season to Serie B.
- Famous example:
- Atalanta BC: Spent much of the 2000s bouncing between Serie A and B, but after stabilizing in the top flight, became a Champions League regular.
- Parma: Relegated and even went bankrupt but has returned to Serie B and is pushing for promotion.
5. Brazil (Brasileirão Serie A / Serie B)
- Brazilian football uses promotion and relegation between Serie A and Serie B.
- Famous example:
- Corinthians: One of Brazil’s biggest clubs was relegated in 2007 but returned the next year and went on to win the Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup.
