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MLS NEXT Pro

MLS NEXT Pro Overview

 MLS NEXT Pro

MLS NEXT Pro unveils 2026 schedule with expansion to 30 clubs

MLS NEXT Pro officially announced its 2026 regular season schedule, marking the league’s earliest start to date and the expansion to 30 teams with the addition of Connecticut United FC. The season will feature 420 matches, run through the FIFA World Cup, and include key milestones such as a Decision Day, new venues, and increased pathways to MLS first teams.

Sam Sarver, North Texas

North Texas SC's Sarver named 2025 MLS NEXT Pro MVP

MLS NEXT Pro announced North Texas SC forward Sam Sarver has been named the 2025 MVP after a breakout campaign that saw the 22-year-old captain rewrite his club’s scoring history and finish near the top of the league’s charts. Sarver’s award caps a season in which he finished as the runner-up in the Golden Boot race and earned a spot on the league’s Best XI.

LA Galaxy v San Diego FC

MLS names Altchek EVP, Curtis president of MLS NEXT Pro

MLS announced Charles Altchek has been named as Executive Vice President of Club Performance and League Growth while Ali Curtis takes over as President of MLS NEXT Pro and Executive Vice President of MLS Sporting Development. Altchek will work directly with team owners and executives to drive business growth, while Curtis takes control of MLS's developmental league.

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Standings

Eastern

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Crown Legacy FC crestCrown Legacy FC220011386
W
W
1Red Bull New York  II crestRed Bull New York II22007256
W
W
1Philadelphia Union II crestPhiladelphia Union II22002026
W
W
4Atlanta United 2 crestAtlanta United 221103214
W
L
4New England Revolution II crestNew England Revolution II20201104
W
W

Western

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1St. Louis City 2 crestSt. Louis City 222007076
W
W
1Houston Dynamo 2 crestHouston Dynamo 222006066
W
W
3Real Monarchs SLC crestReal Monarchs SLC21107255
W
W
3Ventura County FC crestVentura County FC21106425
W
W
3Portland Timbers 2 crestPortland Timbers 221102115
W
W
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Frequently asked questions

Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.

Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.

As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.

Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.

Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.

Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.