By OkayGoal 
With all the progress happening in women’s soccer, including U.S. women’s soccer, it was time for a bridge to be built. This bridge is WPSL PRO, and it’s quite a development. WPSL PRO is set to launch in 2026 and is expected to be a Division II professional league. This could easily serve as a bridge connecting amateur play and professional leagues such as the NWSL and USL Super League. Here’s what you should know about he upcoming WPSL PRO.
How Did WPSL PRO Start?
WPSL PRO is considered an extension of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). The latter is regarded as the largest amateur women’s soccer league in the world. WPSL was founded in 1998, and since then, it has helped players develop their talent as they prepare for higher levels of competition, such as professional soccer. Now, the WPSL is planning to transition to a professional tier represented by WPSL PRO. This plan was announced in 2023, and play is set to begin in 2026.
When it comes to positioning itself, WPSL PRO is designed to operate as a Division II league. This places it below the NWSL and the USL Super League. With this placement, players can now develop in a professional environment as they prepare to play at the top levels of professional soccer.
“WPSL PRO is the bridge that’s been missing – not just for players, but for the communities, investors and brands ready to be part of the next chapter in women’s sports,” said Sean Jones, the league’s co-founder, in a statement according to the league’s official website.
“WPSL PRO exists to expand access to professional Women’s soccer in communities around the United States, and to develop new pathways for Women and young girls to pursue career in soccer, both on and off the field,” said the official website for the league.
Teams and Plans for Expansion
The interest in WPSL PRO is already evident from the several clubs that have been announced as part of the league. Some of them include: Cleveland Pro Soccer (Cleveland, Ohio), Georgia Impact SC (Atlanta, Georgia), Austin Rise FC (Austin, Texas), Dakota Fusion FC (Moorhead, Minnesota), and Indios Denver FC (Denver, Colorado). The Cleveland team is backed by some leaders of the group that has previously tried to land a position in the NWSL.
There are already talks about a stadium taking place. The Cleveland group is planning to build a $50 million stadium with 10,000 seats in downtown Cleveland. It will be for the women’s team, along with an MLS Next Pro team.
More teams include Northern Colorado Rain FC (Windsor, Colorado), Oklahoma City FC (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Sioux Falls City FC (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Soda City FC (Columbia, South Carolina), SouthStar FC (Addison, Texas), The Town FC (Moraga, California), and FC Wichita (Wichita, Kansas).
With the number of these teams and their diverse locations across the U.S., it is easy to see how the WPSL PRO is already appealing to many people. Not to mention that it will give chances for women’s soccer players across different regions. The league is set to have 16 to 20 teams in the beginning. Additionally, according to ESPN, each team will be required to pay a $1 million franchise fee.
Supporting The Players & Expansion
Another benefit of WPSL PRO is its commitment to an athlete-first model. This means that the league is focusing on the development, well-being, and career progress of its players. The league is also planning to have a club and athlete profit-sharing system. This way, both players’ and clubs’ interests would be protected. With this model, WPSL PRO is already set to have a great environment where women’s professional soccer can grow.
A WPSL PRO spokesperson had also told ESPN that the league is discussing the possibility of giving players equity in the league.
This is just the beginning for the league; they have long-term goals. One goal they hope to achieve by 2030 is to expand the league to 24 teams.
How Will WPSL PRO Affect Pro Women’s Soccer in the U.S.?
By establishing a professional Division II league, WPSL PRO is going to bridge the gap between amateur play and top-tier professional leagues. With this development, fans and players alike can expect improvement in players’ development. By providing a professional environment for players to improve, they are getting prepared for higher levels of competition.
Another thing we can expect is the rise of opportunities for women’s soccer players. Increasing professional teams through WPSL PRO will help players have more opportunities to chase their dreams of playing soccer. The introduction of a new league will also make soccer in the U.S. more competitive and sustainable. The beginning of WPSL PRO is just the latest example of how women’s soccer is developing with more investment and visibility.
WPSL Pro Can Coexist With Other Leagues
There shouldn’t be a fear of a clash happening between WPSL PRO, the NWSL, and the USL Super League. The three of them can coexist and support one another. While the NWSL has already submitted plans to have its own Division II league in 2026, WPSL PRO is still beneficial. The increasing number of leagues will only help produce more talent and give players more opportunities.
WPSL PRO is already planning to support players who didn’t make it to the NWSL. They plan to launch in April 2026, which is a month after the start of the NWSL season. “The NWSL starts in March. They make their final cuts in February, or so-about. Those are our players. Maybe they couldn’t get in, maybe they were hurt and couldn’t get on that (NWSL) team. Maybe they needed a year to prove themselves. Those are our players,” said Cleveland Soccer Group co-founder and CEO Michael Murphy, according to The Athletic.
Coexisting with the USL Super League
The USL Super League is another example of how leagues can coexist. Operating as a Division I league, the USL has its own audience.
“I think this is what progress looks like. I think the more options there are, whether it’s owners, investors, players, or fans, the better it is for everyone. And competition is good for the development of the game,” said Amanda Vandervort, president of the USL Super League according to NBC Washington.
“If you look across the landscape, across the cities, the communities, the towns, that don’t have access to women’s pro soccer today, there’s a huge gap. So the more women’s soccer we have, the greater our sport will become, the more dynamic, the more exciting for fans, the more opportunity for players and coaches and staff, and everyone involved in the game,” said Vandervort as well.
WPSL PRO Starting A Change
The introduction and launch of WPSL PRO mark a significant milestone in the development of U.S. women’s soccer. With a Division II league, the gap that previously existed between amateur play and professional one will start to be slowly erased. As we wait for WPSL PRO’s inaugural season in 2026, we can expect that it is going to leave its impact on women’s soccer.
Image via @wpsl
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