The 2026 MLS NEXT Cup, presented by Allstate, will descend on Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 23 through May 31, gathering the most promising youth soccer squads from across the United States and Canada. The event marks the culmination of the 2025‑26 MLS NEXT season and serves as a showcase for the next generation of talent.
A Showcase of Future Stars
Competition will be organized across multiple age brackets — U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U19 — each featuring single‑elimination matches that determine a champion in every category. The tournament’s structure emphasizes knockout intensity, with championship games resolved by two five‑minute periods of extra time followed by penalty kicks if needed.
Teams earn their place in the cup through a variety of pathways: league play, the Pro Player Pathway, or the MLS NEXT Flex initiative. All matches, including the eight championship fixtures, will be streamed live on MLS’s YouTube channel, ensuring broad access for fans across North America.
This year’s broadcast team will feature former MLS players Jalil Anibaba, Calen Carr, AJ Ricketts and Carter Augustine, who will provide commentary and analysis throughout the event. Past MLS NEXT Cup winners such as Philadelphia Union, Real Salt Lake, Inter Miami CF and LA Galaxy have used the platform to launch senior careers, underscoring the tournament’s role as a proving ground.
Beyond the on‑field action, the 2026 edition reinforces MLS NEXT’s reputation as the most elite youth development platform in North America, a status solidified since its launch in 2020. The tournament not only highlights standout players like Benjamin Cremaschi and Zavier Gozo, but also connects aspiring athletes with pathways to professional contracts.