Format and schedule announced for 2025-26 ECNL Girls League Cups

RICHMOND, VA – ECNL Girls announced the 2025-26 schedule of the ECNL League Cups, featuring more than 50 clubs and more than 400 teams from seven conferences battling for more than 20 playoff qualification positions in ECNL and ECNL Regional League.

Every ECNL League Cup features two stages: a group stage and a knockout stage. Participating clubs are placed into groups based on geographical location for the group stage, and following the group stage, qualifying teams advance to the knockout stage of each League Cup. In nearly every Cup, the winners will receive an automatic bid to the postseason playoffs in June and July.

Each ECNL League Cup has a unique format and structure based upon geographic demands, club preferences, and age groups involved. Those formats are below.

2025-26 ECNL League Cup Formats

ECNL Mid-Atlantic League Cup (U15-U18/19): Four groups of three, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. ECNL Mid-Atlantic League Cup U15-U17 winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Girls National Playoffs. Group stage play is Sept. 13-14, 2025. Knockout play will be announced at a later date.

ECNL Midwest League Cup (U13-U14): Four groups of four, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. There is no postseason qualification for ECNL Midwest League Cup. Group stage play is Aug. 30-31, 2025, and knockout play is May 2-3, 2026.

ECNL North Atlantic League Cup (U15-U17): Two groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage. ECNL North Atlantic League Cup U15-U17 winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Girls National Playoffs. Group stage play begins in Dec. 2025, and knockout play is May 7-8, 2026.

ECNL Texas League Cup (U15-U18/19): Four groups of four, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. ECNL Texas League Cup U15-U17 winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Girls National Playoffs. Group stage play is Aug. 23-24, 2025, and knockout play is Nov. 1-2, 2025.

2025-26 ECNL RL League Cup Formats

ECNL RL Heartland League Cup (U15-U18/19): Three groups of five and one group of four, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. ECNL RL Heartland League Cup winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Regional League Girls Playoffs – Central. Group stage play is Aug. 16-17, 2025, and knockout play will be at the ECNL STL national event on Sept. 13-14, 2025.

ECNL RL North Atlantic League Cup (U15-U18/19): Two groups of five, with each group winner advancing to a championship match. ECNL RL North Atlantic League Cup winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Regional League Girls Playoffs – East. Group stage play is Dec. 2025, and the championship matches are May 7-8, 2026.

ECNL RL Texas League Cup (U15-U18/19): Four groups of four, with each group winner advancing to the knockout stage. ECNL RL Texas League Cup winners receive automatic qualification to ECNL Regional League Girls Playoffs – South. Group stage play is Aug. 23-24, 2025, and knockout play is Nov. 1-2, 2025.

“We are thrilled to continue the ECNL League Cup, powered by Discount Tire, and adapt these competition formats to the needs and desires of the participating clubs,” said ECNL Girls Commissioner Chris Leahey. “Last year, the competition breathed extra excitement into the regular season calendar, and the heightened stakes with playoff qualification on the line resulted in fantastic moments for coaches, athletes and spectators.”

“Players and teams in these conferences are looking forward to another year of competition in the League Cup, powered by Discount Tire,” added ECNL RL Girls Commissioner Mikayla Hampton. “It will be particularly impactful to have the knockout stage of the ECNL RL Heartland League Cup run side-by-side with the ECNL St. Louis national event, one we hope we can expand and replicate in other areas in the future.”