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.

Tryout calendar

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 in Florida · MLS NEXT

MayMLS NEXT clubs · from 2 posted datesRolled up from dates the clubs themselves posted; each is listed below.
May–JuneMost clubs, most statesAfter the spring season and before the summer break. Rosters for the fall are set by July.Verified by 70 clubs' posted dates Does this match your club?

Club costs in Florida →

Dates clubs have posted

2 dates Florida

May 2027

May 1, 2027Sol SCRegional program · Florida · MLS NEXT · Open tryouts club site
May 5–7, 2027South Florida Football AcademyRegional program · Florida · MLS NEXT · 2026-27 Open Tryouts 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 34 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 27 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.