USL Players Association and USL reach tentative agreement for new CBA

May 1, 2026

USLPA shirts worn during the opening moments of the 2025 USL Cup final.

The USLPA and USL have reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. The deal, which comes after 21 months of negotiations, covers both the USL Championship and the upcoming USL Premier 1^st  division, which is scheduled to launch in 2028.

The previous CBA expired on December 31, 2025, and the players, understanding the importance of avoiding a work stoppage have been playing under the terms of the old agreement, while negotiating for improved compensation and benefits.

Throughout the process, the players have emphasized the need for professional standards across USL. The league has continued to expand, and the players felt the growth of the league was clearly ahead of the standards being provided to the players. For the league to take a significant step forward it was important for both parties to come to an agreement.

The league’s most recent offers to the players included many of the key components the players have been requesting:

·Full-Year Contracts: Mandating 12-month agreements to eliminate the unpaid two-month offseason.

·Increased Compensation: A proposed minimum compensation increase of over 20% from the previous CBA.

·Health and Housing: Universal access to health insurance for all players and improved minimum standards for club housing, training facilities, and team meals.

Full details of the agreement are pending final ratification by both the USLPA and USL.  The USLPA is expected to work with its members through the ratification process and finalize the deal.