United Premier Soccer League Announces First-Ever UPSL California Cup
The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) proudly announces the first-ever UPSL California Cup. This landmark tournament will bring together the top adult men’s soccer teams from across Northern and Southern California for a rare opportunity to compete at an elite, statewide level. With a $10,000 championship prize, this state-wide tournament represents a major competitive milestone for men’s soccer in California.
The UPSL California Cup is open to all adult men’s teams. With a $500 entry fee, the tournament welcomes participation regardless of league affiliation, giving clubs statewide the chance to test themselves against some of the best semi-professional teams in the country. The format will feature two divisions—NorCal and SoCal—each consisting of 16 teams. Every team is guaranteed at least three group-stage matches before advancing to knockout rounds. The NorCal and SoCal champions will then meet in the California State Championship Final to determine the ultimate statewide champion on the weekend of February 21-22. The tournament is scheduled to kick off the weekend of January 17–18, 2026.
“This UPSL California Cup marks an exciting new era for soccer in California, serving as an exciting, new competition to crown the state’s best men’s team,” said UPSL Vice President of Growth, Yan Skwara. “We’re proud to create a platform that unites teams from every region of the state and expands our past regional cups into a true statewide championship. The $10,000 grand prize recognizes the commitment and excellence of the clubs that work hard and provide opportunities for players across California.”
Final deadline to register for the California Cup is December 10, 2025. Limited spots are available! The tournament timeline includes divisional finals on February 14–15, 2026, and the California State Final (NorCal vs. SoCal) on February 21–22, 2026.
As a proud affiliate of the U.S. Soccer Federation, the inaugural UPSL California Cup 2026 underscores the league’s mission to make high-level soccer more accessible, competitive, and professionally managed across the state. For more information, please visit www.upsl.com. To register your team in Northern California, please contact [email protected]. To register your team in Southern California, please contact [email protected]
About the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)
Founded in 2011, the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) serves as the unofficial fourth tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. With over 800 teams competing across its Premier, Division 1, A-League, Academy, and Women’s divisions, the UPSL is the largest Semi-Pro Pro League in North America. A National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), the UPSL is made up of independently owned and operated clubs. Through its USSF affiliation, UPSL teams are eligible to compete in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds.
For more information, visit www.upsl.com or follow @upslsoccer on Facebook, Instagram, and X. General Inquiries: [email protected] – Media Inquiries: [email protected]