Promotion and Relegation coming to the Midwest - via The League for Clubs, MWPL partnership
The League for Clubs continues to make deals with established regional entities
The League for Clubs (TLfC) earlier today announced a strategic partnership with the Midwest Premier League (MWPL). The agreement, which has been negotiated per our sources since late last year, will come into effect for the 2026 season. Promotion and Relegation will be implemented in 2027.
TLfC already has an established partnership with the Gulf Coast Premier League, the Metroplex Premier League and the Mountain Premier League.
Here is how it will work:
The TLfC/MWPL partnership will see conferences formed beginning in 2026 that will sit above the current MWPL structure Beginning in 2027, a merit-based promotion and relegation structure will begin, which will see clubs promoted from the top-tier of the MWPL into TLfC.
I am told there are likely to be multiple conferences in TLfC by 2027 in the Midwest region that could house the promoted clubs.
TLfC quote:
“When The League for Clubs began, we vowed to partner with like-minded and well-run regional leagues. Early on, we knew that our ideals aligned with those of MWPL leadership and membership. The foresight and thoughtfulness of their 2030 Plan is admirable and much needed in American soccer,” said TLfC Commissioner Casey Cantor. “With this partnership we can continue to work towards a merit-based system that allows clubs to develop both on and off the field at the state and regional levels with the goal of earning the opportunity to compete nationally. We're honored to learn from, collaborate with and build with the MWPL for many years to come.”
MWPL quote:
"As a club-led league, the MWPL is focused on assisting its member clubs to maximize their potential. This strategic partnership gives our clubs the opportunity to expand their footprint by playing in a national league" said MWPL Commissioner Duncan Riddle.
Several potential news clubs could be brought into MWPL and TLfC based on the partnership I have been told.
This is potentially very big news as the MWPL is one of the better regional leagues in the adult-amateur space currently. Linking up with a national partner could be very fruitful for both the MWPL and long-term efforts to build a club-focused open system in specific regions nationally.
Now to see if TLFC can get SWPL and make this thing essentially what that RPL Alliance thing was supposed to be.
can someone explain what the benefit of pro/rel will be at this lower level of amateur soccer?
MWPL has this currently in the Heartland divisions. Alot of the teams in chicago area with a limited talent pool. If you're in the lower division, how ae you going to break through? It seems very arbitrary, with the exception of CHicago City, who could, if they want, load up with some of their USL2 players.
So how does a team break through? Where you going to get the players to make a difference, and who even cares? Attendance virtually nil, clubs never going to be profitable, it's really just hobby soccer.
Oh, and as far as LfC... Anywhere else in the country I can buy in to the league but here in Chicago I can only go through the MWPL?