USA: United Soccer League adopts a promotion & relegation system "to align with global standards"

The United Soccer League (USL), the American body which organises the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th divisions of soccer in the United States (MLS being the 1^st division), has announced the adoption of a promotion and relegation system "to align with global standards and elevate competition nationwide," announced the league on 19/03/2025.

The adoption of the system was voted for by "a supermajority of club owners, marking a groundbreaking decision that will reshape the future of professional soccer in the United States," said the North American league, which announced plans for the launch of a new Division One league in 2027-28 on 13/02/2025.

"The USL becomes the first professional sports league in the U.S. to adopt this global model, creating an interconnected three-tiered men's professional soccer system, where teams earn promotion to a higher division or face relegation to a lower division based on their performance during the season. With this historic step, the USL aligns with the world's top leagues - including the Premier League, LALIGA and Bundesliga - where promotion and relegation…