New women’s soccer league set to start in US in 2024, subject to approval

As women’s soccer continues to grow in the United States, plans to form a new league.

The United Soccer League, which hosts several lower division competitions in the United States and Canada, announced plans to launch a new women’s league, the USL Super League, in August 2024. Unlike the other USL organizations, this one plays in the top division of professional soccer in the United States alongside the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The league still needs approval from US Soccer, the sport’s national governing body. A US Soccer-sanctioned professional league must meet a number of standards, such as: B. At least eight teams in year one (75% of which must be based in the US and play in metro markets of at least 1 million people). Stadiums that seat at least 15,000 and have one principal owner per team with a net worth of at least $40 million.

Although the new league would become the second Division I women’s competition in the United States, it would not compete directly with the NWSL due to scheduling differences. USL Super League games are played from fall through summer, while NWSL plays from spring through fall.

USL Super League team websites

USL plans to open the league’s inaugural season with 10–12 teams. Cities that will already have teams include Charlotte, NC, Dallas/Fort Worth, Lexington, Kent., Phoenix, Spokane, Washington, Tampa Bay and Washington, DC

Other Possible cities include Chattanooga, Tenn., Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Madison, Wisc., and Oakland.

The popularity of women’s soccer is increasing

The NWSL has grown rapidly since its inception in 2012. The league has doubled from six to twelve teams from 2016 to 2022 and will add two more teams next season and two more teams by 2026.

In terms of popularity, the league drew a record 915,000 viewers for its 2022 CBS title game between Portland Thorns FC and Kansas City Current — a 71% increase from the previous season’s league game. The NWSL is reportedly considering other offers for its television rights as the league’s current deal with CBS expires. A game between San Diego Wave FC and expansion team Angel City FC also drew a league-record 32,000 live fans.

This is the kind of presence the USL Super League hopes to achieve in its inaugural season.

The league announced it is working with consulting firm Octagon to manage its media rights sales, as well as experience company Legends for its partnership sales. Legends’ other clients include global football brands such as FC Barcelona, ​​​​Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Real Madrid CF and US Soccer.