MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 – The Largest Youth Soccer Showcase in North America
What makes one youth tournament stand out from the rest? For players, coaches, scouts, and families, MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 provides the clearest answer.
Scheduled to run from 4 – 15 December 2025 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds and the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona, the Fest will be the largest youth soccer showcase ever staged in North America.
With more than 1,000 teams from over 200 clubs competing across six age groups, the event is expected to involve 1,850 matches and feature upwards of 30,000 players. Beyond its sheer size, what elevates MLS NEXT Fest is its role in the broader player development pathway.
For many athletes, this is the moment when they step into the spotlight of professional scouting, national team identification, and collegiate recruitment. It is where dreams of professional contracts begin to feel tangible, and where the foundations of the next generation of football in the United States and Canada are built.
What Are the New MLS NEXT Divisions for the 2025–26 Season?
The 2025–26 season represents a turning point for MLS NEXT, largely due to the introduction of a new competition structure. For the first time, MLS NEXT will feature two distinct divisions:
- The MLS NEXT Homegrown Division: This top tier reflects its direct connection to the MLS Player Pathway. Every Major League Soccer academy competes here alongside 122 selected elite academies. It provides the most competitive platform, designed to prepare players for the next level in their careers. Many athletes in this division will go on to sign their first professional contracts as Homegrown players with MLS clubs.
- The MLS NEXT Academy Division: This new tier has been introduced to widen the platform. It allows additional elite academies, many of which previously played outside MLS NEXT, to compete in a system with equal access to high-level competition, scouting opportunities, and developmental resources. By expanding the pyramid, MLS NEXT is enabling more young footballers to showcase their ability and pursue careers in professional football or collegiate programmes.
This reorganisation more than doubles the number of athletes and clubs in the league. For the 2025–26 season, MLS NEXT will feature 273 clubs, 2,189 teams, and more than 43,000 players, making it the most comprehensive youth football system on the continent.
How Big Is MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 Compared to Previous Years?
The December showcase has always been central to the MLS NEXT calendar, but the 2025 edition represents a dramatic leap in scale.
Whereas previous Fests featured several hundred teams, this year the number exceeds 1,000, making it the largest single youth soccer scouting and recruiting event in North America.
The event will not only draw hundreds of scouts from Major League Soccer, United Soccer League (USL), and international clubs but also attract a strong contingent of college recruiters and national team evaluators.
The 12-day schedule ensures every participating team is given exposure, with matches carefully structured to allow scouts to assess players in different competitive contexts.
Which Clubs and Academies Will Compete in the New Format?
Every MLS academy will be represented in the Homegrown Division, including well-established development programmes such as FC Dallas, LAFC, New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami, and Philadelphia Union.
These academies have already produced players who are making their mark in MLS, MLS NEXT Pro, and even national teams.
In addition, the Academy Division opens the door to a new wave of clubs. Many of these are elite independent academies that previously operated outside the MLS NEXT structure.
Their inclusion adds fresh rivalries and diversifies the talent pool, bringing together a wider geographical spread of players from across the United States and Canada.
The result is a showcase that is not only larger but also more competitive, as athletes from both established MLS academies and ambitious new entrants battle for recognition.
How Does MLS NEXT Fest Contribute to Player Pathways?
For young footballers, the importance of MLS NEXT Fest lies not in winning trophies but in the exposure it provides. Scouts representing professional clubs, national teams, and collegiate programmes will be in attendance throughout the 12 days.
Performances at this showcase can directly lead to professional contracts, scholarships, or international call-ups.
The Fest is particularly significant because of its proven track record. In the 2025 MLS season alone, over 100 MLS NEXT alumni appeared in regular-season matches, setting records for minutes played and goals scored. Many of these players had their first major exposure at MLS NEXT Fest.
The Homegrown Division strengthens the pipeline to MLS contracts, while the Academy Division ensures a broader base of athletes gain the same opportunities to be seen. For many, December in Arizona will be the defining chapter of their football journey.
How Does MLS NEXT Fest Support the Growth of American Soccer?
Since its launch in 2020, MLS NEXT has positioned itself as the most elite platform for youth development in North America.
Its commitment to innovation, inclusion, and structured progression has created an environment where young players receive world-class coaching, training, and competitive opportunities.
The system now oversees 28,000 matches annually and has developed a calendar of marquee events. MLS NEXT Fest sits alongside other prestigious competitions such as the Generation adidas Cup, where MLS academies compete against top international clubs, and the MLS NEXT Cup, which serves as the season’s culminating tournament.
By hosting more than 43,000 players across 2,189 teams, MLS NEXT has become a vital part of the continent’s footballing landscape, ensuring that the United States and Canada are increasingly recognised as regions capable of producing world-class players.
What Can Families and Fans Expect From the December 2025 Showcase?
For families, attending MLS NEXT Fest is both an emotional and memorable experience. The Arizona Athletic Grounds and Reach 11 Sports Complex are expected to host dozens of matches simultaneously, creating an atmosphere where thousands of players and supporters come together in a celebration of football.
Parents often describe the Fest as the moment when the scale of their child’s journey becomes real. It is not simply about watching matches but about being part of a wider community dedicated to the growth of football in North America.
The facilities in Arizona are designed to support both players and spectators, with pitches, seating areas, and services that allow fans to engage fully with the event.
Why Is MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 a Milestone for the Future of the Sport?
This edition of the Fest marks several firsts. It is the first to include the new Academy Division, the first to feature more than 1,000 teams, and the first to be described as the largest youth scouting event ever held in North America.
It is also the most significant step yet in MLS NEXT’s ambition to cement its place as the leading youth development structure in the world.
For the sport as a whole, the Fest represents a milestone in the professionalisation of youth soccer. By creating a direct and transparent pathway from academy to professional contract, MLS NEXT is shaping the future not only of individual players but of American football as a whole.
What Are the Key Dates on the 2025–26 MLS NEXT Calendar?
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6 September 2025 | MLS NEXT Season Kick-Off | Various across USA & Canada |
| 4–15 December 2025 | MLS NEXT Fest | Arizona Athletic Grounds & Reach 11 Sports Complex, Mesa, AZ |
| Spring 2026 | Generation adidas Cup | TBA |
| Spring 2026 | MLS NEXT Flex | TBA |
| Summer 2026 | MLS NEXT Cup | TBA |
| Summer 2026 | MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate | Charlotte, NC |
Conclusion – How Will MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 Shape the Next Generation?
The MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 is more than a competition. It is a platform of opportunity that brings together over 1,000 teams, 30,000 players, and hundreds of scouts in a setting designed to elevate the next generation of football talent.
By introducing the Homegrown Division and the Academy Division, MLS NEXT has created a dual structure that is both elite and inclusive. It allows every player, regardless of background, to access a pathway that can lead to professional contracts, collegiate opportunities, or international recognition.
For players, coaches, scouts, and families, this Fest will not simply be remembered as another tournament. It will be remembered as the event that signalled a new era in North American football, where the dream of becoming a professional athlete is closer than ever.
FAQs on MLS NEXT Fest December 2025
When and where will MLS NEXT Fest December 2025 be held?
The Fest takes place from 4 – 15 December 2025 in Mesa, Arizona, across the Arizona Athletic Grounds and Reach 11 Sports Complex.
What are the new MLS NEXT divisions introduced this season?
The Homegrown Division is the top tier linked directly to MLS, while the Academy Division is a new tier designed to bring more elite clubs into the structure.
How many players and teams are part of the 2025–26 season?
There are 273 clubs, 2,189 teams, and over 43,000 players, making MLS NEXT the largest youth system in North America.
Why is MLS NEXT Fest so important for young players?
It provides a rare opportunity to showcase talent in front of professional scouts, college recruiters, and national team evaluators.
What age groups are represented at MLS NEXT Fest?
The showcase covers all six MLS NEXT age categories, from U13 through to U19.
Can fans and families attend the matches?
Yes, the event is open to families and supporters, with venues designed to accommodate large numbers of spectators.
How does MLS NEXT compare internationally?
With structured competition, elite coaching, and strong ties to professional clubs, MLS NEXT is positioning itself as one of the world’s most respected youth development systems.
