MLS NEXT Events 2024-2025 Season
MLS NEXT recently announced its key dates for the upcoming season. Check them out…
- Start of the Regular Season: September 7, 2024
- MLS NEXT Fest: December 6-11, 2024 in Indio, CA (Empire Polo Ground)
- Generation adidas Cup: April 12-20, 2025 in Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)
- MLS NEXT Flex: May 9-13, 2024 in Boyds, Maryland (Maryland Soccerplex)
- MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs & Showcase: June 2025 (most likely Nashville again)
- MLS NEXT All-Star Game: Date TBA in Austin, TX
What is MLS NEXT Fest?
MLS NEXT Fest is a winter event that brings together over 400 MLS Next teams from across four age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19).
The 2024 edition of MLS NEXT Fest will be held in Indio, CA from December 6-11, 2024. This is the location where it was held in 2022.
The event showcases two main competitions: the MLS NEXT Fest Showcase and the 2025 Generation adidas Cup qualifiers.
This showcase is a fun event where teams get to play three games against opponents outside of their league. Additionally, it brings an entire soccer community together!
Can’t wait to see you guys there 🙂
Related Article: 2023 MLS NEXT Fest Recap
What is the Generation Adidas Cup?
The Generation Adidas Cup is a prestigious youth soccer tournament organized by Major League Soccer (MLS) for U-15 and U-17 MLS academy teams.
This competition is part of the Homegrown Initiative, which emphasizes player development and offers elite-level competition.
The tournament features top MLS academies and top-level international clubs. This gives a chance for talented teams to compete against some of the best talent from around the globe.
Related Article: My Unbiased Observations From Generation Adidas Cup
What is MLS NEXT Flex?
MLS NEXT Flex is the final qualifying tournament for teams hoping to make the 2025 MLS Next Cup Playoffs.
This event brings together 64 of the top MLS NEXT clubs from the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19 age groups.
Winners of each group will automatically earn their spot in June’s MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs.
What are the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs & Showcase?
The MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs & Showcase is an exciting culmination of the MLS NEXT season.
The top 128 teams across four age groups (U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-19) compete in a single-elimination tournament, with teams advancing from the MLS NEXT Flex event.
Alongside the playoffs, the MLS NEXT Cup Showcase offers a non-competitive environment where teams can compete against other MLS NEXT teams.
This entire event provides opportunities for players to get scouted and compete against top teams across the United States and Canada.
What is the MLS NEXT All-Star Game?
The MLS NEXT All-Star Game marks the end of the MLS NEXT season, featuring the top players from the MLS NEXT youth soccer league.
The game features two teams composed of the best players from the MLS NEXT league, and the event includes additional activities like skills challenges and fan events.
The East vs. West matchup will take place in Austin, TX.
Written By: Beau Bridges
Founder of SoccerNovo
I’m Beau 👋 a proud dad of an MLS NEXT player, former soccer coach, soccer enthusiast, and board member of our local youth sports program. I created soccernovo.com to share my knowledge of the game and help parents learn more about youth soccer in the U.S. I also authored an eBook ‘Soccer Coach Made Simple‘. Learn more about Beau.
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