Why are Southern California tryouts so early?

SoCal's top girls' and boys' leagues hold tryouts in January and February for the season that starts the following August, months before the rest of the country's May and June windows.

What should I know before tryouts?

What the club will actually cost. Every club page here shows the posted fees with their source, an honest all-in range, and, where the club files one, what its own tax return says families pay.

How is a tryout window verified?

A window is verified when two or more clubs in that state and league have posted dates inside it, or two or more parents have said it matches theirs. Until then it is one person's report and is labeled that way. Dates read from a club's own site always link the page.

When are club soccer tryouts?

It depends on where you are. Southern California's top leagues try out in January and February; most of the country in May and June. Pick your state below, then read what the club costs before the tryout, not after.

For the team chat, before the season's decision.

Look up a club

StateLeague

When tryouts happen across the country · ECNL

May–JuneMost clubs, most statesAfter the spring season and before the summer break. Rosters for the fall are set by July.Verified by 104 clubs' posted dates Does this match your club?
January–FebruaryCalifornia · ECNL (Southern California)SoCal's top leagues try out in winter, months before the rest of the country.Reported by one parent (the site's owner), 2026-09-03; not yet confirmed · 1 agree, 0 differ Does this match your club?

Dates clubs have posted

107 dates everywhere

October 2026

Oct 15, 2026FC PrideNational program · Indiana · ECNL · SUPPLEMENTAL TRYOUTS · U9-U14 · Coed club site
Oct 15, 2026FC PrideNational program · Indiana · ECNL · SUPPLEMENTAL TRYOUTS · U15-U19 · Coed club site
Oct 15, 2026FC PrideNational program · Indiana · ECNL · SUPPLEMENTAL TRYOUTS · U7-U8 · Coed club site
Oct 15–16, 2026FSA FCRegional program · Connecticut · ECNL · U9 - U12 Boys and Girls Supplemental Tryout · U9-U12 · Coed club site
Oct 18, 2026FC 1974 Elite (GLSA)Major program · Illinois · ECNL · FC 1974 High School Boys Supplemental Tryouts · U15-U19 · Boys club site
Oct 25, 2026Eclipse Select SCMajor program · Illinois · ECNL · Lake Forest Tryouts · U15-U18 · Boys club site
Oct 28, 2026Tennessee United SCNational program · Tennessee · ECNL · Supplemental Tryouts for U15-U19 Girls · U15-U19 · Girls club site

November 2026

Nov 1, 2026Cleveland Force SCMajor program · Ohio · ECNL · U15-U18/U19 Boys Tryouts · U15-U18/U19 · Boys club site
Nov 1, 2026Cleveland Force SCMajor program · Ohio · ECNL · U15-U18/U19 Girls Tryouts · U15-U18/U19 · Girls club site
Nov 20, 2026FSA FCRegional program · Connecticut · ECNL · High School Boys 2026-27 Supplemental Tryout · U15-U18/19 · Boys club site
Nov 20, 2026FSA FCRegional program · Connecticut · ECNL · High School Girls 2026-27 Supplemental Tryout · U15-U18/19 · Girls club site
Nov 21, 2026Connecticut FCRegional program · Connecticut · ECNL · U8-U14 Tryouts · U8-U14 · Coed club site
Nov 23–24, 2026Charlotte SAMajor program · North Carolina · ECNL · Charlotte Section Supplemental Tryouts – Girls U10-U14 and Boys U10-U17 · U10-U14 girls, U10-U17 boys · Coed club site
Nov 23, 2026Connecticut FCRegional program · Connecticut · ECNL · U15-U18 Tryouts · U15-U18 · Coed club site

December 2026

Dec 30, 2026Cleveland Force SCMajor program · Ohio · ECNL · USL W Tryout · U23 · Girls club site
Dec 30, 2026Cleveland Force SCMajor program · Ohio · ECNL · USL 2 Men Tryout · U23 · Boys club site
Dec 30, 2026Cleveland Force SCMajor program · Ohio · ECNL · USL Academy Boys Tryout · U15-U20 · Boys club site

March 2027

Mar 29, 2027Beachside SCNational program · Connecticut · ECNL · U9-U12 Northeast Academy Teams Tryouts · U9-U12 club site
Mar 30 – Apr 16, 2027Manhattan SCRegional program · New York · ECNL · MSC Girls ECNL Regional Tryouts – Spring 2026 · U12-U19 · Girls club site

April 2027

Apr 7–21, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · YDP U7 · U7 · Girls club site
Apr 7–21, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · YDP U8 · U8 · Girls club site
Apr 7–21, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · YDP U9 · U9 · Girls club site
Apr 9–23, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · YDP U10 · U10 · Girls club site
Apr 9–23, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · YDP U11 · U11 · Girls club site
Apr 20–23, 2027Manhattan SCRegional program · New York · ECNL · MSC Girls Tryouts 2026 · U9-U19 · Girls club site
Apr 21 – May 8, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · U12 · U12 · Girls club site
Apr 21 – May 8, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · U13 · U13 · Girls club site
Apr 21 – May 8, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · U14 · U14 · Girls club site
Apr 21 – May 8, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · U15 · U15 · Girls club site
Apr 21 – May 8, 2027Bethesda SCNational program · Maryland · ECNL · U16 · U16 · Girls club site

How this calendar works

Two seasons of tryouts. Southern California's top leagues in January and February for the season starting in August; most of the country in May and June after the spring season.
Fall is quiet. Rosters are set by August; next season's dates go up from December through April. We read every club's site and post what it says, with a link; today 76 clubs have a dated tryout up.
Many clubs recruit outside the window. Ask on the club's site; a mid-season offer usually means a prorated fee.
A tryout fee is common. Among the 62 clubs here that post one, the median is $30; many charge nothing. Accepting a spot means a deposit within days, then the club's fees.

Nothing rests on one person's word. A window is verified when two or more clubs' posted dates fall inside it, or two or more parents say it matches theirs. 1 of 5 windows are verified today.
Every posted date links the club's own page. If it is wrong, the page is wrong, and we re-read it every 45 days.
Biggest programs first on the same day. League platform, the club's own return, players sent on, and what parents here look at. A club cannot pay for its place.
Seen a window that differs from yours? Say so under it. Two taps, nothing typed.

Leagues and clubs vary, and a club's own site has the dates. Know a window we are missing? Tell us.

Quick answers

When are club soccer tryouts?: MLS NEXT (Southern California): January–February. ECNL (Southern California): January–February. Girls Academy (Southern California): January–February. AYSO Extra (Southern California): January. Most of the country: May–June. Windows confirmed by parents, not a rule book; leagues and clubs vary.
Why are Southern California tryouts so early?: SoCal's top girls' and boys' leagues hold tryouts in January and February for the season that starts the following August, months before the rest of the country's May and June windows.
What should I know before tryouts?: What the club will actually cost. Every club page here shows the posted fees with their source, an honest all-in range, and, where the club files one, what its own tax return says families pay.
How is a tryout window verified?: A window is verified when two or more clubs in that state and league have posted dates inside it, or two or more parents have said it matches theirs. Until then it is one person's report and is labeled that way. Dates read from a club's own site always link the page.

The season's snapshot of costs carries this calendar too.