What is the National 1 League?
The National 1 League, formerly referred to as NewComp, is a new team-based national league that brings together US Youth Soccer’s National League (NL) and US Club Soccer’s National Premier Leagues (NPL). The league will include approximately 10,000 teams and 150,000 players nationwide.
The National 1 League (N1) is a joint effort between US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer, in collaboration with U.S. Soccer, and will serve as the highest-level team-based league in the country. The inaugural season will begin in the 2026-2027 seasonal year.
Arizona Soccer Association will be an operator for Club Base West District 2 & 3 and Team Base for the West District 2 for N1. You can find all N1 League Operators here.
N1 Club Base is based on individual clubs who have 6 teams (U13-U19) who will be scheduled directly against another club’s 6 teams, on the same dates, at the same fields, hosted by the Home Club. The club-based schedule is determined by each club’s availability, and takes place separately from the team-based platform of competition.
N1 Team Base is individual teams applying from their respective clubs, who are scheduled individually against their opponents in their division. Each age group could have a different makeup of the teams participating, based on competitive fit/applications. Each team is reviewed for acceptance on an individual team basis, and any team is eligible to apply, regardless of club affiliation.
Who will play in National 1 League?
Arizona Soccer Association has been announced as a league operator for the N1 in West Districts 2 and 3.
For ASA, the N1 division will become the highest division within the state competition league structure. This will mean teams working through promotion within Arizona’s Advanced Leagues would ultimately work towards participating in N1, based on promotion from APL or base on a qualifying open application.
ASA will have an application process for teams that do not automatically qualify for the N1. This means that teams not currently competing in ASA’s state league may still be eligible and are encouraged to apply for consideration.
All applications will be reviewed and decided by ASA’s N1 alignment committee. Team Base application link.
League Structure & Fees
N1 (Team Based) will play alongside the Arizona’s Advanced League play dates . All games will take place in Arizona (excluding Playoffs).
N1 teams will be scheduled 6-9 league games during the August-March season, with no games played for the U15-U19 ages during the December-February High School season.
Does the N1 League have a postseason?
Yes. The inaugural N1 season will conclude in summer 2027 with participation in the ECNL RL Conference Playoffs.
The N1 inaugural season will be capped in summer 2027 at the ECNL Conference League Playoffs and Finals, as district qualifiers from all N1 Districts and the ECNL Regional League compete for championships.
Does this change State Cup or the US Youth Soccer National Championship Tournament?
No. Arizona Soccer Association will continue to host its annual State Cup tournaments, with winners advancing to the US Youth Soccer National Championship Tournament. Teams participating in the N1 will still be eligible to participate in State Cup and the National Championship pathway, while also being eligible for the N1 postseason playoffs.
ASA encourages N1 League teams to take advantage of both opportunities.
