The governing body of American soccer is reportedly laying the groundwork for an interleague competition that could make its debut as early as 2028. While still in the conceptual stage, the idea has already sparked interest from the top tier of women’s professional soccer in the United States.
A New Era for Women’s Soccer
The NWSL, the USL Super League and the newly ambitious WPSL Pro league have all signaled that they would be willing to participate in such a tournament. Executives from each league have hinted that the event might feature not only fully professional clubs but also amateur and semi‑professional sides, echoing the inclusive spirit of the US Open Cup and England’s FA Cup.
Rather than attempting to replicate a full‑season double‑round robin, sources say the preferred model would be a condensed tournament reminiscent of the NWSL’s Challenge Cup. That format pairs regular‑season matches with a single‑elimination knockout phase, creating a high‑stakes, short‑term competition that can be scheduled over a few weeks.
The Challenge Cup itself evolved from a pandemic‑era experiment in 2020, when the league sought a way to keep teams engaged during a disrupted calendar. Its success showed that a streamlined, event‑based approach could generate excitement while preserving competitive integrity.
What It Means for Players and Fans
If realized, the tournament could provide a new platform for emerging talent and give lower‑division clubs a chance to test themselves against the league’s elite. It would also add a marquee event to the calendar, potentially boosting viewership and commercial partnerships.
Broadcast partners such as ESPN are likely to be keen on the added content, especially if the competition can draw comparable audience numbers to existing NWSL broadcasts.
While no official dates or prize money have been announced, the mere prospect of a high‑profile interleague event signals a willingness among U.S. Soccer and the leagues to experiment with innovative formats that could reshape the women’s professional landscape.