MLS NEXT Announces Expansion Clubs for the 2025-26 Season | OneFootball

MLS NEXT announced seven new expansion clubs that will debut in the program's top-tier competition beginning in 2025-26.

Among the even is Tulsa Greenwood SC; the first MLS NEXT club that hails from Oklahoma, which has become the 34th state to be represented in the massive development program.

MLS NEXT General Manager Kyle Albrecht said of the expansion "These clubs demonstrated a thoughtful commitment to player development that will be extremely valuable to our program."

"We are excited to welcome all the expansion clubs that will be joining across both MLS NEXT tiers and look forward to the impact they will make."

"The interest from across the ecosystem emphasizes MLS NEXT’s standing as one of the most elite platforms for player development in the world.”

Notable graduates of the program include Inter Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi and Charlotte's Aron John.

The full seven-club list is as follows:

MLS NEXT also unveiled the division structure and teams that will participate in the new competitive landscape which had already been released last month.

It will feature over 1,200 teams from 220 clubs that will be broken up into divisions based on region.

The National Academy League (NAL) operated by 3Step Soccer, Elite Academy League (EAL), Sporting Development League (SDL), Cobalt Sports, and Cal North Soccer Association will be tasked with managing and operating the new framework.

The divisional breakdown can be seen below:

📸 Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn images