The United Soccer League (USL) announced that JAXUSL, a Jacksonville-based group of investors and executives, has acquired the rights to a USL Championship expansion franchise with the intent of beginning play in 2025. The new club will be the first in Northeast Florida to feature men’s and women’s professional soccer.

JAXUSL also has partnered with Florida Elite Soccer Academy, one of the largest and most successful youth soccer organizations in the United States. Headquartered in St. Johns County, Florida, Elite includes more than 10,000 members throughout Northeast Florida and fields pre-professional teams in USL League Two and USL W League. The expansion club will be among the first in the United States to offer a complete pathway from youth to pro for men and women.

The USL Championship currently features 27 professional, community-driven clubs across the United States, with plans to add expansion teams in Iowa, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and more. The USL Super League will bring professional women’s soccer to new markets and create opportunities for women on and off the field.

The USL Championship team intends to kick off in 2025, contingent on securing a home venue on the First Coast for the club. JAXUSL actively engages with local stakeholders and has identified multiple potential locations to develop a 15,000-capacity stadium and a world-class training facility. Details about the stadium and training facility will be announced in the coming months. 

Soccer fans across Northeast Florida will be invited to help develop the club’s brand through community consultation, town halls, and a naming competition. Fans can register their interest in the club now by securing a season ticket deposit for $25 at the club’s official website, www.jaxusl.com. 

Working with several futbol organizations, this is a welcoming addition and possible stepping stone for a future local Jacksonville MLS team.

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