FAQs: What Promotion and Relegation System, Division One Status Mean for Las Vegas Lights FC

Division One status for a league in the U.S. is defined by the sanctioning standards of the U.S. Soccer Federation. Division One is the highest level for professional soccer in the United States as set by these standards.

The launch of a new Division One league in the U.S. will bring the highest level of soccer to more communities across the country. This groundbreaking initiative builds on the USL’s commitment to grow the game at all levels, provide new opportunities for players, teams, and fans, and strengthen the foundation of American soccer at a time when the sport is experiencing unprecedented momentum.

The USL has not officially named the clubs that will form the league.

However, Las Vegas Lights FC fully intends to aggressively pursue Division One status as part of the new league. The club remains committed to delivering the best possible product for our city, our community, and our fans.

As the USL engages in an ongoing process, Las Vegas Lights FC intends to pursue all necessary development needed to qualify for Division One status.

This includes expansion or construction of a stadium that meets all requirements and is located in the Las Vegas area. The club will be prioritizing ambitious stadium development plans under Owner Jose Bautista.

The league will begin play in 2027-2028, per the USL’s announcement in early February.

USL Division One is not related to Major League Soccer (MLS). Division One status is defined by the U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioning standards, and they do not prohibit multiple leagues from existing in the same classification.

For example, in the current American soccer pyramid, USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro (MLS’s development league) are both sanctioned as division three. The USL Championship (the Lights’ current league) is sanctioned as division two, and Major League Soccer is sanctioned as division one.

In the proposed future soccer pyramid, USL Division One (a placeholder name for the yet-to-be-named league) and MLS would co-exist as division one leagues. The USL Championship would continue to exist as a division two league, and USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro would continue to exist as division three leagues (see below).

No. USL Division One and Major League Soccer would be two different leagues with their own competition structures and separate sets of teams.

Promotion and relegation is a system in which teams are promoted to a higher division or relegated to a lower division based on their performance during the season. The USL is introducing this structure to create a fully interconnected, three-tier professional pathway following the launch of USL Division One.
 
By implementing promotion and relegation, the USL is aligning with the global soccer model and reinforcing its commitment to long-term growth, player development, and fan engagement. Every match will matter—from the first kick to the final whistle—making the season-long action even more thrilling for fans, players, and clubs alike.

The USL’s professional men’s soccer structure will consist of three divisions:

– USL Division One (newly launched)
– USL Championship (Division Two)
– USL League One (Division Three)
 
Teams will earn promotion or face relegation based on their season performance, ensuring a dynamic and competitive landscape where ambition is rewarded.

The promotion and relegation system does NOT go into effect immediately for the 2025 or 2026 seasons. Rather, the new system will coincide with the launch of USL Division One on the 2027-2028 timeline communicated by USL.

Once this system does go into effect, Lights matches will hold both promise and jeopardy throughout the regular season. Performance levels during the season will determine if the team is promoted to a higher league (if not already in the highest league), stays in the same league, or is relegated to the next league down on the pyramid.

Soccer in the U.S. is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by global events like the FIFA 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Now is the time to take bold steps that elevate the game, expand opportunities, and position the USL as a leader in shaping the future of soccer in the country.

Promotion and relegation is the standard in leagues worldwide, including the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and beyond.

This system strengthens the USL’s connection to the global game, making it more appealing for international players, fans, and investors. It also gives U.S.-based clubs a structure that fosters ambition and competitiveness on a global level.

The USL is rolling out this transformative system with a structured timeline and strategic planning. More details will be shared in the coming months as the league works closely with clubs, partners, and stakeholders to implement this historic change.