Table&Pitch

Guide · Girls club soccer

ECNL vs ECNL RL vs Girls Academy: how girls club soccer leagues compare

As of October 1, 2026, based on the ECNL’s 2026–27 Competition Rules (August 17, 2026) and announcements, and Girls Academy’s 2026–27 Frameworks and website. Each league’s own documents are authoritative and can change.

At a glance

ComparedECNL GirlsECNL RL GirlsGirls Academy
Run byThe ECNL, sanctioned by US Club SoccerThe ECNL, under US Club Soccer rules; some regional leagues are run with licensed partnersGirls Academy, its own national league and a U.S. Soccer Federation Organization Member since February 2024
Clubs129 clubs in 10 conferences for 2026–27More than 375 clubs in 25 regional leagues for 2026–27More than 120 member clubs in eleven conferences, by GA’s own description
Age groupsU13 to U18/19; every member club fields all sixUp to six, U13 to U18/19; the ages offered vary by leagueU13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19
Next tier downECNL RLNational 1 (N1) LeagueGA Aspire
National finals, 2026–27ECNL National Finals for U13–U17, through the Champions League, and a separate U18/19 National FinalsECNL RL Finals for U13–U17, after six regional playoff eventsChampions Cup Finals, March 4–9, 2027, and GA Finals for U13–U17, July 8–11, 2027
On Table & PitchStandings, schedules and rostersStandings, schedules and rostersNot covered

ECNL Girls

ECNL Girls is run by the ECNL and sanctioned by US Club Soccer. It was founded in August 2009 with 40 clubs, and for 2026–27 has 129 clubs in 10 conferences. Every member club fields all six age groups, U13 through U18/19.

Conference play makes up most games and decides most postseason places, and teams also play national events through the season (see the 2026–27 schedule). The ECNL says its top girls showcases averaged more than 1,000 scouts each in 2025–26.

ECNL Girls standings · How ECNL Girls teams qualify for the playoffs

ECNL Regional League (RL) Girls

ECNL RL is the ECNL’s second tier, also under US Club Soccer rules; some regional leagues are run with licensed partners. For 2026–27 there are more than 375 clubs in 25 regional leagues. A league can field up to six age groups, U13 to U18/19, and the age groups offered can vary by league. Below RL is the National 1 (N1) League.

RL teams qualify on league points per game for one of six regional playoff events, and at U13–U17 eight teams per age group go on to the ECNL RL Finals. More on the RL postseason.

ECNL RL Girls standings

Girls Academy (GA)

Girls Academy is its own national league, formed in 2020, and has been a U.S. Soccer Federation Organization Member since February 2024. GA describes itself as more than 120 member clubs in eleven conferences. Its age groups are U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19, and its second tier is GA Aspire.

GA’s 2026–27 Frameworks say playoff eligibility requires at least 13 conference matches and attendance at a national event. 2026–27 events include the Champions Cup Finals, March 4–9, 2027 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and the GA Finals for U13–U17, July 8–11, 2027 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

MLS NEXT, a boys’ competition, announced an alliance with Girls Academy in December 2024.

Age groups

US Club Soccer moved to school-year age groups, August 1 to July 31, for 2026–27. The ECNL’s 2026–27 age groups are:

  • U13: born August 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
  • U14: born August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
  • U15: born August 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
  • U16: born August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
  • U17: born August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
  • U18/19: born August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2009

Girls Academy sets its own age groups; check its Frameworks for birth dates.

High school soccer

Neither the ECNL’s nor Girls Academy’s published 2026–27 rules bar high school soccer. Clubs can set their own policies, so ask your club.

Moving between leagues

Clubs can be promoted from ECNL RL to ECNL. For 2026–27, Team Boca, Lonestar SC and South Carolina Surf were promoted. Lonestar SC and South Carolina Surf had joined ECNL RL from Girls Academy in 2024 and 2025.

ECNL players may also play ECNL RL games for their club, with a limit on how many per game-day roster: 3 at U13–U17 and 4 at U18 (ECNL Competition Rules, Exhibit E).

What Table & Pitch covers

Table & Pitch has standings, schedules and rosters for ECNL Girls and ECNL RL Girls. It doesn’t cover Girls Academy; for GA standings and events, see the Girls Academy website.

Sources

Table & Pitch is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the ECNL or Girls Academy. For anything official, the league’s own documents decide.