2026 USL Championship season
| Season | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates |
|
| Matches | 204 |
| Goals | 556 (2.73 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | |
| Biggest home win | Rhode Island FC 4–0 Charleston Battery April 22 Charleston Battery 4–0 Sporting JAX May 2 Charleston Battery 5–1 FC Tulsa June 13 |
| Biggest away win | Hartford Athletic 0–4 El Paso Locomotive FC April 11 Sporting JAX 2–6 Detroit City FC June 13 |
| Highest scoring | Sporting JAX 4–4 San Antonio FC May 27 Sporting JAX 2–6 Detroit City FC June 13 |
| Longest winning run | Tampa Bay Rowdies 4 Games (March 7 – April 4) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Tampa Bay Rowdies 12 Games (March 7 – June 10) |
| Longest winless run | Sporting JAX 15 Games (March 7 – July 3) |
| Longest losing run | Sporting JAX 7 games (March 25 – May 9) |
| Highest attendance | 14,847 New Mexico United 2–1 Oakland Roots SC July 4 |
| Lowest attendance | 446 Sporting JAX 2–5 Charleston Battery June 27 |
| Total attendance | 996,018 |
| Average attendance | 4,882 |
← 2025 2027 → | |
The 2026 USL Championship season is the 16th season of the USL Championship and the ninth season under Division II sanctioning.
Before the start of the season, the United Soccer League Players Association (USLPA) authorized a player strike, pending resolution of ongoing labor negotiations between the league and the association.[1]
25 teams in two conferences will compete in the regular season.[2] The Brooklyn FC men's team, which was originally scheduled to begin play in 2025, debuted in 2026 alongside Sporting Club Jacksonville. North Carolina FC dropped out of the USL Championship and went on hiatus following the 2025 season, with hopes of entering USL Premier in 2028 with a new stadium in Raleigh.[3][4]
All 25 teams will participate in the Prinx Tires USL Cup alongside the 18 USL League One teams.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are the defending league champions, and Louisville City FC are the defending Players' Shield winners.
Teams
Changes from 2025
Expansion clubs
Departing clubs
Stadiums and locations
Personnel and sponsorships
Regular season
Format
The teams will play an unbalanced 30-game schedule plus four USL Cup games. Each team will play its conference opponents twice, home and away, and five or six of the teams in the opposite conference. The top eight teams in each conference will make the playoffs.[2][5]
Eastern Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 21 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 38 | 20 | +18 | 44 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Detroit City FC | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 17 | +10 | 35 | |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 21 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 33 | |
| 4 | Charleston Battery | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 39 | 27 | +12 | 33 | |
| 5 | Louisville City FC | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 37 | 36 | +1 | 31 | |
| 6 | Indy Eleven | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 23 | 22 | +1 | 28 | |
| 7 | Rhode Island FC | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 22 | +8 | 28 | |
| 8 | Hartford Athletic | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 18 | −3 | 24 | |
| 9 | Miami FC | 21 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 34 | −9 | 22 | |
| 10 | Loudoun United FC | 20 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 30 | −9 | 20 | |
| 11 | Birmingham Legion FC | 19 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 27 | −5 | 17 | |
| 12 | Brooklyn FC | 19 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 18 | 35 | −17 | 13 | |
| 13 | Sporting Club Jacksonville | 21 | 2 | 14 | 5 | 26 | 54 | −28 | 11 |
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Western Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico United | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 17 | +9 | 34 | Playoffs |
| 2 | Orange County SC | 21 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 34 | |
| 3 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 21 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 34 | |
| 4 | FC Tulsa | 20 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 25 | 19 | +6 | 32 | |
| 5 | San Antonio FC | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 26 | 25 | +1 | 32 | |
| 6 | Sacramento Republic FC | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 27 | 18 | +9 | 31 | |
| 7 | Lexington SC | 20 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 31 | |
| 8 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 21 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 28 | 30 | −2 | 29 | |
| 9 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 21 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 28 | |
| 10 | Oakland Roots SC | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 27 | 30 | −3 | 26 | |
| 11 | Phoenix Rising FC | 21 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 26 | |
| 12 | Monterey Bay FC | 22 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 23 | 40 | −17 | 16 |
Rules for classification: 1) total wins against conference opponents; 2) goal differential against conference opponents; 3) goals scored against conference opponents; 4) head-to-head points against conference opponents; 5) points per game against conference opponents; 6) points per game against non-conference opponents; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots
Attendances
| Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento Republic FC | 98,866 | 11,569 | 8,072 | 9,887 | +0.9% |
| 2 | Louisville City FC | 95,424 | 12,358 | 7,297 | 9,542 | −2.1% |
| 3 | New Mexico United | 84,025 | 14,847 | 6,187 | 9,336 | −2.0% |
| 4 | Indy Eleven | 87,180 | 9,542 | 8,143 | 8,718 | −7.9% |
| 5 | Rhode Island FC | 79,352 | 10,606 | 5,708 | 7,935 | −11.0% |
| 6 | San Antonio FC | 68,263 | 7,742 | 5,570 | 6,206 | −2.5% |
| 7 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 68,234 | 7,362 | 4,860 | 6,203 | −14.3% |
| 8 | Detroit City FC | 61,747 | 7,252 | 5,053 | 6,175 | −0.9% |
| 9 | Oakland Roots SC | 60,629 | 14,419 | 2,496 | 5,512 | −34.2% |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 57,630 | 6,376 | 3,946 | 5,239 | +5.5% |
| 11 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 49,669 | 6,267 | 4,038 | 4,967 | +1.2% |
| 12 | El Paso Locomotive FC | 43,837 | 6,079 | 3,274 | 4,871 | −11.7% |
| 13 | Lexington SC | 53,062 | 8,277 | 3,303 | 4,824 | +13.5% |
| 14 | Phoenix Rising FC | 45,925 | 6,230 | 3,174 | 4,593 | −5.6% |
| 15 | FC Tulsa | 46,359 | 5,717 | 3,496 | 4,214 | +32.6% |
| 16 | Orange County SC | 45,937 | 7,651 | 2,699 | 4,176 | −8.7% |
| 17 | Charleston Battery | 40,091 | 5,012 | 3,179 | 4,009 | +1.7% |
| 18 | Birmingham Legion FC | 40,639 | 5,084 | 2,662 | 3,694 | −18.6% |
| 19 | Monterey Bay FC | 33,334 | 4,240 | 2,421 | 3,333 | −0.2% |
| 20 | Las Vegas Lights FC | 29,128 | 3,782 | 2,116 | 2,913 | +3.9% |
| 21 | Hartford Athletic | 21,983 | 4,130 | 1,148 | 2,748 | −44.1% |
| 22 | Sporting Club Jacksonville | 19,800 | 10,357 | 446 | 1,980 | n/a |
| 23 | Brooklyn FC | 17,658 | 4,500 | 628 | 1,962 | n/a |
| 24 | Loudoun United FC | 19,276 | 3,080 | 957 | 1,606 | −31.2% |
| 25 | Miami FC | 10,160 | 1,439 | 606 | 924 | −20.8% |
| League total | 1,279,577 | 14,847 | 446 | 5,018 | −9.8% |
Updated to games played on 24 August 2026.
Source: https://www.backheeled.com/usl-attendance/
Percentage changes as compared to 2025 USL Championship season.
Player statistics
- As of August 19, 2026
Goals
Hat-tricks
| Player | Team | Against | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Roots SC | Las Vegas Lights FC | 4–2 (H)[7] | April 22 | |
| Miami FC | Louisville City FC | 4–3 (H)[8] | April 22 | |
| Detroit City FC | Sporting JAX | 2–6 (A)[9] | June 13 | |
| Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Louisville City FC | 3–1 (H)[10] | July 18 | |
| FC Tulsa | Orange County SC | 1–5 (A)[11] | August 22 | |
- Notes
(H) – Home team
(A) – Away team
- ^ Scored five goals.
Assists
Clean sheets
USL Cup
Awards
Midseason awards
| Goalkeeper of the Year | Defender of the Year | Coach of the Year | Young Player of the Year | Player of the Year | References | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio FC | Oakland Roots SC | Orange County SC | Brooklyn FC | Phoenix Rising FC | [14] | ||||||
Monthly awards
| Month | Player of the Month | Coach of the Month | References | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Club | Position | Coach | Club | ||
| March | Hartford Athletic | Goalkeeper | Tampa Bay Rowdies | [15][16] | ||
| April | Oakland Roots SC | Forward | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | [17][18] | ||
| May | Charleston Battery | Forward | Tampa Bay Rowdies | [19][20] | ||
| June | Charleston Battery | Midfielder | Charleston Battery | [21][22] | ||
| July | Lexington SC | Midfielder | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | [23][24] | ||
Weekly awards
| Player of the Week | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week | Player | Club | Position | Reason | Ref. |
| 1 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Forward | 2 goals vs Colorado Springs | [25] | |
| 2 | Louisville City FC | Forward | 1 goal, 1 assist vs Miami | [26] | |
| 3 | Charleston Battery | Midfielder | 2 goals in comeback win vs Birmingham | [27] | |
| 4 | Miami FC | Forward | 2 goals and 2 Assists in 6 point week for Miami | [28] | |
| 5 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Forward | 2 goals vs Las Vegas | [29] | |
| 6 | Brooklyn FC | Forward | 1 goal, 2 Assists vs Charleston | [30] | |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Forward | 2 goals vs Detroit | [31] | |
| 8/9 | Oakland Roots SC | Forward | 4 goals in 2 games including first Hat Trick | [32] | |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Goalkeeper | 7 save shutout vs Louisville City FC | [33] | |
| 11/12 | Miami FC | Forward | Hat Trick vs Louisville City FC | [34] | |
| 13 | San Antonio FC | Forward | 2 goals vs Jacksonville | [35] | |
| 14/15 | Detroit City FC | Forward | 5 goals vs Jacksonville | [36] | |
| 16 | Oakland Roots SC | Forward | 3 goals; 1 assist in 2 games | [37] | |
| 17/18 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Forward | 2 goals; 1 assist vs Phoenix | [38] | |
| 19/20 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Forward | hat trick in 3 minutes, 27 seconds vs Louisville | [39] | |
| 21 | Sacramento Republic FC | Forward | 2 goals in win vs Oakland | [40] | |
| 22 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Forward | 2 goals in comeback win vs Louisville | [41] | |
| 23 | New Mexico United | Midfielder | 2 goals 1 assist in 5–2 win vs Monterey Bay | [42] | |
| 24 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Forward | 2 goals in 3–0 win vs San Antonio | [43] | |
| 25 | FC Tulsa | Forward | hat trick in 5–1 win vs Orange County | [44] | |
References
- ↑ https://www.si.com/soccer/us-soccer-players-playing-strike-tense-labor-talks
- 1 2 "USL Championship reveals the 2026 schedule". USL Championship. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ↑ "Raleigh Group To Apply For United Soccer League Division I Franchise". North Carolina FC. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ↑ "North Carolina Football Club suspending operations in hopes of going into new league". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ↑ Staff, USLChampionship com (2025-12-10). "USL Championship Announces Competition Format for 2026 Season". USL Championship. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
- ↑ "USL Championship – Statistics – Goals". USL Championship. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ↑ "Oakland Roots SC vs Las Vegas Lights FC". USL Championship. April 22, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Miami FC vs Louisville City FC". USL Championship. May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Sporting JAX vs Detroit City FC". USL Championship. June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs Louisville City FC". USL Championship. July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Orange County SC vs FC Tulsa". USL Championship. August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship – Statistics – Assists". USL Championship. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ↑ "USL Championship– Statistics – Clean Sheets". USL Championship. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ↑ "Cast Your Ballot for the 2026 USL Championship Fans' Choice Mid-Season Awards". USL Championship. 25 June 2026.
- ↑ "Tampa Bay Rowdies' Dominic Casciato voted USL Championship Coach of the Month for March". USL Championship. April 8, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Detroit City FC's Danny Dichio voted USL Championship Coach of the Month". USL Championship. April 10, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Oakland Roots SC's Wolfgang Prentice voted USL Championship Player of the Month for April". USL Championship. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC's Alan McCann voted USL Championship Coach of the Month for April". USL Championship. May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Charleston Battery's Colton Swan voted USL Championship Player of the Month for May". USL Championship. June 11, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Tampa Bay Rowdies' Dominic Casciato voted USL Championship Coach of the Month for May". USL Championship. June 10, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Charleston Battery's Emilio Ycaza voted USL Championship Player of the Month for June". USL Championship. July 9, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Charleston Battery's Ben Pirmann voted USL Championship Coach of the Month for June". USL Championship. July 8, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Lexington SC's Aaron Molloy voted USL Championship Player of the Month for July". USL Championship. August 13, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC's Alan McCann voted USL Championship Coach of the Month for July". USL Championship. August 12, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 1". USL Championship. March 10, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. March 17, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 3". USL Championship. March 24, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 4". USL Championship. March 31, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 5". USL Championship. April 7, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 6". USL Championship. April 14, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 7". USL Championship. April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 8/9". USL Championship. May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 10". USL Championship. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 11/12". USL Championship. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 13". USL Championship. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 14/15". USL Championship. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 16". USL Championship. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 17/18". USL Championship. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 19/20". USL Championship. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 21". USL Championship. July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 22". USL Championship. August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 23". USL Championship. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 24". USL Championship. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- 1 2 "USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 25". USL Championship. August 25, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 1". USL Championship. March 9, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. March 16, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 3". USL Championship. March 23, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 4". USL Championship. March 30, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 5". USL Championship. April 6, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 6". USL Championship. April 13, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 7". USL Championship. April 20, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 8/9". USL Championship. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 10". USL Championship. May 11, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 12". USL Championship. May 25, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 13". USL Championship. June 1, 2026. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 14/15". USL Championship. June 15, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 16". USL Championship. June 22, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 17/18". USL Championship. July 6, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 19/20". USL Championship. July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 21". USL Championship. July 27, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 22". USL Championship. August 3, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 23". USL Championship. August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Goal of the Week – Week 24". USL Championship. August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 1". USL Championship. March 10, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 2". USL Championship. March 17, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 3". USL Championship. March 24, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 4". USL Championship. March 31, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 5". USL Championship. April 7, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 6". USL Championship. April 14, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 7". USL Championship. April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 8/9". USL Championship. May 5, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 10". USL Championship. May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 11/12". USL Championship. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 13". USL Championship. June 2, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 14/15". USL Championship. June 16, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 16". USL Championship. June 23, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 17/18". USL Championship. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 19/20". USL Championship. July 21, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 21". USL Championship. July 28, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 22". USL Championship. August 4, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 23". USL Championship. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "USL Championship Save of the Week – Week 24". USL Championship. August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
