USL and USL Players Association Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement

September 4, 2026 Orlando, Florida

The United Soccer League and the USL Players Association have officially ratified a landmark five-year collective bargaining agreement through 2030. The agreement was reached in principle in early May after lengthy and contentious negotiations. The new CBA is now effective and runs through the 2030 season, and includes provisions for extension.

Some of the key provisions of the deal:

• Minimum Salaries: USL Championship base pay rises to $42,000 for 2026.

  
  

• Contract Length: Standardized 12-month contracts replace previous 10-month terms.

  
  

• Healthcare: Mandatory club-provided health insurance matching or exceeding an Affordable Care Act Silver Plan.

  
  

• USL Premier: Sets a $67,500 base minimum for the upcoming Division 1 league launch in 2028. 

The newly ratified collective bargaining agreement breaks new ground for player protections, revenue sharing, and performance incentives across the league. The agreement builds a bundled, league-wide group licensing structure across all four professional tiers —the USL Championship, USL League One, Gainbridge Super League, and USL Premier—through 2031. 

• Revenue Sharing: Players will now directly share in profits generated by the league's commercial use of their likenesses.

  
  

• Merchandise & Gaming: This includes financial cuts from official league-sold merchandise and player appearances in soccer video games.

  
  

• NIL Expansion: Player Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) protections are vastly expanded, backed by joint funding contributions from both the league central office and individual teams. 

Under the new deal, medical care transitions have moved from a discretionary club benefit into a structured, mandatory professional baseline.

• Staffing Mandates: Clubs are now required to increase their certified athletic trainer requirements. 

  
  

• Player-Care Access: Agreements guarantee regular, dedicated physical therapy services alongside access to massage therapy for player recovery. 

  
  

• Isolated Costs: Health insurance premiums must be provided at or above an ACA Silver Plan level, and these costs can no longer be deducted from or counted toward a player's minimum base compensation. 

In addition, for the first time in league history, the USL is introducing structured financial rewards for on-field success. 

• Players' Shields: The CBA officially creates annual, dedicated player prize pools specifically designated for the winners of the USL Championship Players' Shield and the upcoming USL Premier Players' Shield.