Please find below important information as it relates to Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 seasons including: season dates, updated information on Coaching Education Standards, Modified Player Placement, Season Dates, Team Fees, and Referee Fees
the NECSL Coaching Education Mandate (FALL 2025)
Beginning with the Fall 2025 season, all coaches (Head and Assistant) that coach in the NECSL are required to obtain a minimum US Soccer Grassroots in-person license, an equivalent course, or a higher qualification. The minimum is a US Soccer grassroots in-person license or equivalent with 4 hours or more duration. More information can be found here.
All Coaching Education licenses and registration are available through the US Soccer Learning Center or visit your State Association Coaching Education Resource page.
Modified Player Placement Update (Fall 2025)
The modified player placement rule was originally instituted in the NECSL to allow clubs to place players in the appropriate age group based on that player's development (late developers). The NECSL understands the importance of growth, development, and playing within an appropriate level of competition, which will ultimately help them reach their full potential. This is not to help a team win games or for clubs to fill out team rosters due to low numbers, but instead is based on assisting individual players in difficult circumstances. For Fall 2025, there have been significant changes to the requirements for a modified player. Please review all guidelines before completing this form:
# of players allowed per age group
Criteria
A player is eligible to be on the modified player list based on the following factors:
Fall 2025 Season Dates
Spring 2026 Season Dates
Team Fees (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)
Referee & Assigning Fees (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)
the NECSL Coaching Education Mandate (FALL 2025)
Beginning with the Fall 2025 season, all coaches (Head and Assistant) that coach in the NECSL are required to obtain a minimum US Soccer Grassroots in-person license, an equivalent course, or a higher qualification. The minimum is a US Soccer grassroots in-person license or equivalent with 4 hours or more duration. More information can be found here.
All Coaching Education licenses and registration are available through the US Soccer Learning Center or visit your State Association Coaching Education Resource page.
Modified Player Placement Update (Fall 2025)
The modified player placement rule was originally instituted in the NECSL to allow clubs to place players in the appropriate age group based on that player's development (late developers). The NECSL understands the importance of growth, development, and playing within an appropriate level of competition, which will ultimately help them reach their full potential. This is not to help a team win games or for clubs to fill out team rosters due to low numbers, but instead is based on assisting individual players in difficult circumstances. For Fall 2025, there have been significant changes to the requirements for a modified player. Please review all guidelines before completing this form:
# of players allowed per age group
- At the U8-U10 age groups (7v7); only one modified player permitted per team
- At the U11-U12 age groups (9v9); only two modified players permitted per team
- At the U13-U15 age groups (11v11); only three modified players permitted per team
- No modified players allowed in the U16-U19 age groups.
Criteria
A player is eligible to be on the modified player list based on the following factors:
- Physical - physically small and/or developmentally behind same aged peers
- Technical - technically behind compared to same aged players
- Experience - new to playing soccer relative to same aged players
Fall 2025 Season Dates
- The goal in the fall is to have all U9-U15 teams play 8 games, but in some cases it might only be 7 games.
- 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2
- (11/9 Makeup-Date)
- U8 Jamboree Dates
- 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19
Spring 2026 Season Dates
- The goal in the Spring is to have all U9-U19 teams play 7 games, but in some cases it might only be 6 (or 8 games).
- 3/29, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31
- U8 Jamboree Dates
- 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10
- Championship Weekend
- 6/6 & 6/7
Team Fees (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)
- Club Size (1-150 teams) = $325 per team (per season)
- Club Size (151+ teams) = $305 per team (per season)
- Additional Fee for U8-U10 Jamboree/Festival teams = $125 per team (per season)
Referee & Assigning Fees (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)
- The below breakdown is based on a 7-game schedule
- If games are not covered by referees, clubs will receive credit/refund starting in Fall 2025.
- No referees at U8 Jamborees
FORMAT | AGES |
REFREE FEES / PER GAME |
ASSIGNOR FEES / PER GAME |
REFEREE + ASSIGNOR FEE PER TEAM |
7v7 (U9/U10) | $60 |
$30.00 / TEAM |
$10.50 / TEAM |
$283.50 / TEAM |
9v9 (U11/U12) | $70 |
$35.00 / TEAM |
$10.50 / TEAM |
$318.50 / TEAM |
U13/U14 $80 | $50 | $50 |
$90.00 / TEAM |
$10.50 / TEAM |
$703.50 / TEAM |
U15/U16 $90 | $55 | $55 |
$100.00 / TEAM |
$10.50 / TEAM |
$773.50 / TEAM |
U17/U19 $100 | $60 | $60 |
$110.00 / TEAM |
$10.50 / TEAM |
$843.50 / TEAM |
