Upcoming Featured MLS Youth Events
Three events will shape the next two years of youth soccer recruiting in North America.
From Phoenix in December to a national championship the following June, here is what is coming and why every one of these dates matters for players chasing the next level.
MLS NEXT Fest
MLS NEXT Fest is the largest youth soccer scouting and talent identification event in North America. More than 1,600 teams from at least 300 clubs will compete across all six MLS NEXT age groups, U13 through U19, over twelve days in Phoenix. Hundreds of professional, national team and college scouts will evaluate more than 32,000 players across roughly 2,400 matches. New this year, the MLS NEXT Academy Division introduces a play-in competition across all age groups, creating more high-quality, meaningful matches and an additional pathway to qualify for the 2027 MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate.
Generation adidas Cup
One of the most prestigious youth tournaments in global soccer, the 2027 Generation adidas Cup returns to IMG Academy, where MLS academies go head-to-head with top international club academies. The U16 age group grows from 40 to 48 teams this year, ensuring every group includes an international side and giving emerging talent a direct comparison against some of the most respected youth setups in the world.
MLS NEXT Cup presented by Allstate
The 2026-27 MLS NEXT season culminates at MLS NEXT Cup, where the best youth teams in the U.S. and Canada compete for an illustrious MLS NEXT championship. The Homegrown Division expands from 32 to 48 teams at the U15 through U19 age groups, giving more clubs and players the chance to compete in MLS NEXT's premier postseason competition in front of academy directors, college recruiters and national team scouts.
