MLS Next Homegrown vs. MLS Next Academy: What's the Difference and Why It Matters for Your Athlete
Listen, I’m not going to sugarcoat it - youth soccer in America has never been more structured or more confusing. If you've been trying to figure out what MLS Next Homegrown and MLS Next Academy mean for your athlete, you're not alone. I get this question constantly.
Last August, MLS Next announced a significant expansion that added a second division to the league's structure, and it changed the development landscape in ways that are worth understanding before your athlete's next club decision.
Let me break it down.
What Is MLS Next Homegrown Division?
MLS Next Homegrown is the top tier. It includes every professional MLS academy (clubs directly affiliated with an MLS team, like LA Galaxy or Atlanta United), plus the highest-level non-MLS academies in the country.
The "Homegrown" name comes from the MLS Homegrown Player Rule, which allows professional clubs to sign players directly out of their own youth academies without going through the standard allocation process. If your athlete's goal is to go pro, this is the path that most directly leads there (note the italics there, meaning this is certainly not the only way).
Competition at this level is elite. The players are being evaluated by professional eyes regularly, and the stakes are high.
What Is MLS Next Academy Division?
MLS Next Academy is the second tier and the expansion that everyone should know about. Clubs that were previously competing in other leagues are now being brought under the MLS Next umbrella at this level. And if they perform well in the Academy league, they can get promoted to Homegrown.
The big deal here isn't just the branding. It's the access. MLS Next Academy teams now participate in the same national showcases as MLS Next Homegrown, allowing for players from both divisions to be evaluated by the same college coaches and professional scouts at events like MLS Next Fest.
They can also qualify for the MLS Next Cup playoffs, where Academy and Homegrown teams can compete within their own divisions.
It’s also important to note that many clubs that are in MLS Next Homegrown have their second team play in Academy.
What Is the Pro Player Pathway?
After U14, there is a split in the pathway: Pro MLS Clubs typically don’t field a U15 team, but the rest of the clubs do.
The pro MLS clubs jump right to U16 – and they separate themselves from the rest of the clubs in MLS Next when they do so. Homegrown and Academy leagues keep on going, but those pro team academies are not part of the leagues – they are still in the tournaments though (like GA Cup, MLS Fest, and MLS Flex).
Key Differences That Actually Matter
Here's what I'd want every parent to understand:
• Direct pro pipeline: Homegrown clubs have a direct connection to professional organizations. Academy clubs don't but that doesn't mean pro scouts aren't watching Academy showcases.
• College exposure: Both divisions now play in front of the same audiences at national events. Academy players have just as much opportunity to be seen by college coaches as Homegrown players do.
• High school soccer: Players in MLS Next Academy can play both high school and club soccer simultaneously. But Homegrown players often face restrictions depending on their club and it’s worth asking about directly.
• Level of competition: Homegrown is still the higher level by design, but the gap has narrowed. Standout Academy players are regularly recruited up.
What Does the Expansion Mean for MLS Next Fest?
MLS Next Fest will now include more than 1,000 teams across all six age groups (U13–U19), and upwards of 30,000 players. That means more coaches, more scouts, and more eyes on more players than ever before.
If your athlete is in the Academy Division and performing well, they are being evaluated. The showcase floor is now the same for both divisions.
Can Players Move from Academy to Homegrown?
There isn't a formal promotion system published by MLS Next as of now. But the informal pathway exists. Standout players from the Academy Division get noticed at showcases and national events, and clubs in the Homegrown Division recruit them (if their club is in Academy but not Homegrown). It happens regularly.
What this means practically is that the division your athlete starts in doesn't define the ceiling of where they can go. Consistent performance in a visible environment does.
Frequently Asked Questions About MLS Next
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In terms of competition level and proximity to the professional game, yes. Homegrown is the higher tier. But "better for your athlete" depends entirely on where they are in their development and what their goals are. A player focused on college exposure at a strong Academy club may have just as much visibility as a Homegrown player at a weaker affiliate.
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Absolutely. Both divisions participate in the same national showcases, where college coaches are actively recruiting. The division matters less than how your athlete performs in front of those coaches.
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It depends on the division and the specific club. MLS Next Academy players generally have more flexibility to play high school soccer alongside club. Homegrown players often face restrictions. Be sure to ask the club directly before committing.
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The expansion brings MLS Next to more than 273 clubs and 43,000 players across both divisions, making it the largest youth development platform in the United States as of the 2025/2026 season.
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MLS Next Fest is the flagship national showcase event for MLS Next. Following the expansion, it now includes more than 1,000 teams and 30,000 players from both divisions across all age groups from U13 to U19. College coaches and pro scouts attend in significant numbers.
Need Help Choosing the Right Club?
The right club decision isn't just about the division - it's about finding the environment that matches where your athlete is right now and where they're trying to go. If you have questions and want to have a conversation with us, set up a 30-minute session.
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