Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic have their eyes on the top of the USL pyramid.
The USL introduced its new Division One men’s league, USL Premier, and the planned structure to build an interconnected structure amongst its leagues as it lays the foundation for promotion and relegation in North America.
Set to begin in 2028 and including the USL Championship and USL League One, the league is looking to align competition formats across divisions in a way that supports balanced schedule, credible movement, and future expansion.
Rhode Island FC took to social media with club co-founder and owner Brett Johnson’s commenting on the new development.
“This is incredibly exciting news for Rhode Island FC, Centreville Bank Stadium, and our fans," Johnson said. "Rhode Island is a proud state, and our focus will remain steadfast on competing at the highest level of soccer in the country. We are excited and committed to compete as a member of the USL Premier League.”
Hartford Athletic commented on promotion and relegation in March 2025.
"With the USL’s announcement of its plan to adopt promotion and relegation, we stand on the verge of a transformative era, one that aligns perfectly with Hartford’s vision for the game," the statement from Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell said. "Since our club’s inception, we’ve always believed in the potential of Hartford as a Tier 1 soccer community. The passion of our fans, the commitment of our partners, and the support of our city and state officials have laid the foundation for us to compete at the highest levels. Now, we have an opportunity to take the next step together."
Hartford reiterated that the statement was accurate recently to The Blazing Musket and that the club is evaluating all options regarding USL Premier.
As the structure for the league continues to shape up, the USL is currently reviewing applications from clubs who are interested in competing in USL Premier and will announce the inaugural members of the new league at a later date.
Meanwhile Rhode Island continues to prepare for the upcoming season with all eyes on the club’s season and home opener on March 7, when the welcome Loudoun United FC back to Centreville Bank Stadium. Hartford begins its season down in Florida playing Sporting Jax in its inaugural USL Championship match.
