ECNL Girls Hub | SoccerNovo

Get To Know ECNL Girls

The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Girls is a top league in the United States. It was established in 2009 to create a platform for elite-level youth soccer. Through a regular season, playoffs, and national events, girls compete in age groups U13 through U19.

Quick Facts

Started in 2009
U13 through U19
90% of ECNL Girls play collegiately

780+ Teams
130 Clubs
10 Conferences

2025/2026 Player Rules & Regulations

U13: (2) 35 minute halves
U14, U15, U16: 40 minute halves
U17, U19: (2) 45 minute halves

There is a maximum of 7 substitutions per half. A player may not re-enter the game in the same half they were substituted.

If a player receives a red card during the regular season, they will be immediately suspended for the remainder of that game. They will also miss the next game as well.

If the red card was received during the final ECNL competition, it will carry over into the following ECNL season.

There is no yellow card accumulation for ECNL.

U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 & U19

ECNL players are allowed to play for their middle or high school.

No ECNL Registered Player may be dropped from an ECNL Roster. Exceptions must adhere to Transfer Regulations or the player may be released.

Rosters will remain open until March 1, 2026. Teams may add up to (2) new players at each group for the remainder of the season (assuming they meet certain conditions).

Every ECNL Member Club must have an ECNL team in every age group (U-13 through U-19).

Maximum of 30 players per ECNL team. Once a player is added, it counts as a rostered player regardless if they transfer out of the club or not.

A max of 18 players can be rostered on gameday.

If more than 18 ECNL Registered Players appear on any roster, the “inactive” players must be struck through.

U-15: A player in 8th grade who is age appropriate for this age group is considered a Trapped Player. They are eligible to play in U-14 ECNL Competition during the player’s high school season. No more than (2) Trapped Players may participate in any individual U-14 ECNL Competition.
U-19: A player in 11th grade who is age appropriate for this age group is considered a Trapped Player. A Trapped Player at this age can play in games at the U-17 ECNL National Events (during the regular season) and ECNL Club Post-season except the Champions League.

ECNL Registered Players may only play on one ECNL team per day.

Helpful Links

Pre-ECNL Midwest Cup: What You Need to Know

Youth soccer players from across the Midwest will compete for championship titles at a brand-new tournament in Ohio this weekend. The first-ever Pre-ECNL Midwest Cup takes place September 27-28 at Warren County Sports Park in Lebanon, Ohio. This exciting new…