North Carolina FC to Withdraw from USL Championship, Eyes 2028 Division One Launch

Nov 06, 2025 89 Views USL CHAMPIONSHIP

North Carolina FC has announced it will not compete in the men’s USL Championship next season, opting instead to submit an application to join the USL Division One — the league proposed by the United Soccer League (USL) that is expected to kick off in 2028.

In a club statement, NCFC said that “the application begins a formal process that could bring top-level professional soccer to Raleigh, supported by a long-term stadium plan and strong market infrastructure.”

The USL confirmed the club’s current franchise agreement will end after the 2025 season, and noted: “The USL believes Raleigh has strong potential as a future Division One market if it meets the league’s professional standards, including a minimum 15,000-seat, purpose-built soccer stadium that will serve as an anchor for real estate development.”

The decision means NCFC will remain inactive for two seasons in this structure — a timing that comes at a critical moment, as the USL not only readies its Division One launch but is also advancing a promotion/relegation model across its leagues.

According to a source familiar with the matter, “all player contracts will be voided following the end of the season, allowing them to become free agents.” This poses significant challenges for players with multi-year deals — including injured players who may lose health insurance coverage and may need to pursue workers-compensation claims. The source estimates around ten players will have contracts terminated prematurely. Under the current USL CBA, those players are to receive two months’ severance.

A club spokesperson told ESPN that NCFC “will follow the CBA and we’ll do everything we can to go above and beyond” in assisting the affected players.

Chairman Steve Malik — owner of NCFC since 2015 and also owner of the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage — has long pursued the construction of a soccer-specific stadium in the Raleigh area to be shared by both clubs. Although land and regulatory approvals have been secured, the necessary public financing has yet to be locked in since 2019.

The men’s squad has struggled with attendance, averaging just 2,550 fans per game this season, ranking 21st of 24 teams in the Championship. In their most recent playoff game versus Loudoun United FC they drew merely 2,005 spectators.

Founded in 2006 as the Carolina RailHawks, the club moved to the NASL in 2009, returned to the USL (Championship) in 2017, dropped to USL League One in 2021, and then re-joined the Championship in 2023.