The ECNL was founded in 2009 and today represents the highest levels of youth soccer in America.
In 2025-26 there are 28 boys ECNL Regional Leagues and 27 girls ECNL Regional Leagues throughout the country.
ECNL Regional League-Twin Cities sits atop the National 1 League, and provides an opportunity for deserving clubs to qualify for the top league in Minnesota, while competing for coveted spots in the annual ECNL Regional League postseason. Furthermore, 16U-19U teams have access to ECNL college showcases, where hundreds of college coaches have historically attended.
Clubs that perform consistently and at a high level within the ECNL Regional League will be evaluated for invitation to the ECNL (National) club competition.
Club and team qualification into the NPL and ECNL Regional League-Twin Cities is based on on-the-field performance in the previous soccer year.
The ECNL Regional League-Twin Cities and Minnesota NPL aims to provide a practical, club-centric, annual schedule. In general, teams play one meaningful season throughout the full soccer year. The benefit to this structure is utmost flexibility for clubs, and appropriate training to match ratios which are in the best interest of player development.
| TOTAL MATCHES (EST.) | FALL SEPT-OCT | WINTER DEC-MARCH | SPRING APRIL-JUNE | |
| 13U-14U | 18-20 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 8-10 |
| 15U-19U | 14-16 | n/a | 4-6 | 8-10 |
The top two ECNL Regional League teams will advance to the Central Playoffs in June, 2027.
