USL reveals markets for new women's league

The USL today will reveal the initial markets that will make up the USL Super League, a forthcoming pro women’s league scheduled to kick off in August 2024. USL plans to pursue Division I sanctioning from U.S. Soccer, which would put the Super League at the same tier as the NWSL. The first eight markets confirmed for the Super League’s inaugural 2024 season are Charlotte; Dallas/Ft. Worth; D.C.; Lexington, Ky.; Phoenix; Spokane; Tampa; and Tucson. Several more franchises for the inaugural season are expected to be announced later, with a total of 10-12 teams expected to compete in 2024. Teams in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Jacksonville; Madison; Indianapolis; and Oakland plan to enter the league in subsequent seasons pending the completion of stadium projects. 

USL’s decision to seek Division I status represents a change in direction, as the organization had initially planned to introduce Super League as a Division II league. Women’s leagues seeking Division I sanctioning from U.S. Soccer must meet a range of criteria, such as number of teams (eight to start, 10 by year four), market size (75% of teams must play in markets with ≥ 750,000 population), stadium size (more than 5,000 seats) and financial viability (ownership group net worth greater than $25M).

"What really became clear to us as we assessed what our standards would be, whether that be stadium size or owner commitment, was that we were already committed to the first-division level of sanctioning by the Federation, and so it made all the sense in the world for us to select that direction," said USL Super League President Amanda Vandervort.