TLfC announces plans for Pro/Am league to bridge amateur and professional soccer

Jan 03, 2026 50 Views LEAGUE FOR CLUBS

The League for Clubs (TLfC) announced plans Tuesday to launch a new pro/am soccer league designed to bridge the gap between amateur and professional soccer in the United States.

The league, tentatively titled TLfC Pro/Am, is expected to begin play in 2027 and will be sanctioned through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). It will complement TLfC’s existing National Amateur League structure by offering a higher level of competition while maintaining a more sustainable operating model than many lower-tier professional leagues.

According to TLfC, the Pro/Am league will feature standards above the top levels of amateur play, with an emphasis on financial stability for participating clubs. Teams will be allowed to roster both compensated and non-compensated players.

The league calendar is expected to run from April through October. Regular-season play will be organized on a regional basis to limit travel costs, with regional champions advancing to a National Finals event. The national champion will receive a cash prize.

“We are excited to introduce a new competitive tier above standard amateur play, helping bridge a long-standing gap in the U.S. soccer landscape on the pathway to the professional level,” said TLfC Commissioner Casey Cantor. “We look forward to the potential opportunities this pro/am league can provide for clubs, their players and staff, referees and fans who have the desire to compete in, work at, or support a local club at the highest levels of soccer in America.”

TLfC officials said additional details will be announced in the coming weeks and months as clubs submit letters of intent to participate and regional structures are finalized.