Mar 21, 2025 - News

What USL promotion-relegation means for Miami

Illustration of a soccer ball wearing a crown — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

United Soccer League owners voted this week to introduce promotion and relegation by 2028 as they prepare to launch a new top-tier soccer league.

Why it matters: This is a huge move in the U.S. soccer landscape. It rewards teams that perform well with promotion to a higher league, while teams that perform poorly will face relegation to a lower league.

Context: Last month the USL announced plans to launch a Division One league in 2027-28, intended to rival Major League Soccer.

USL currently has two existing leagues: USL Championship (second division) and USL League One (third Division).
USL Division One (first division) would create a pyramid structure for promotions and relegations.

Zoom in: Miami FC plays in USL League One at Pitbull Stadium at Florida International University's Modesto A. Maidique Campus.

What's next: Miami takes on the Tampa Bay Rowdies at home Saturday night at 6:40pm.

Tickets $30+.

Add Axios on Google

What USL promotion-relegation means for Miami

More Miami stories