FAQ

For answers to any questions not listed, please visit the STAFF PAGE for contact information. 

See Regional FAQ pages for more Region specific information:

SWPL FAQ

WHY COMPETE IN THE SWPL?

We put the Clubs first! We are all about sustainability and want to support teams in coming alongside them to help them achieve their goals. Check out the other leagues, is their marketing more about their league or do they put clubs first?

We charge less, so clubs have more money to invest in their teams.

We believe in local and regional competition. We do not believe it is sustainable for an amateur club to be spending thousands of dollars to travel all across the country to determine a so-called "national champion". It costs more to travel to play these games than the prize money you would win!

We believe in US Soccer. We support the US Open Cup and ALL of our member clubs are eligible to complete in the US Open Cup. We believe that is the only competition worthy of traveling across the country for!

We believe if your team wants to travel then do it for the experience, find a tournament in another state, another country even, to compete in. Other than that, focus your efforts on growing your club, developing your business plan, spend your money on a run in the US Open Cup. We will help you!

NISA & NISA Nation AFFILIATION

We are members of an over 400 team network through our affiliation with NISA. We have access to pro clubs leaders and owners. We have access to collaborate with other like-minded leagues across the country and even in Mexico.

Our membership with NISA guarantees us at least 4 spots in the NISA Independent Cup each year.

The SWPL aggrement with further alignment with NISA Nation provides increased options and developing opportunities for NISA’s affiliations with the Southwest Premier League.

As with its previous agreement with NISA, the SWPL receives merit-based spots in the annual NISA Independent Cup tournament and its clubs have access to training compensation for clubs whose players are signed by NISA pro teams.

SOLIDARITY PAYMENTS - We have already had 4 players sign pro contracts with NISA pro teams through the 2021-22 season. All receiving solidarity payments through our partnership!

WHEN CAN I REGISTER MY TEAM?

You can register a team at any time. While we take teams anytime we have an opening our traditional open registration period is between June 1 and July 31. You can start by filling out your EXPANSION FORM here.

WHAT COMPETITIONS IS AN SWPL MEMBER CLUB ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR?

We have multiple competitions. These are determined by region, conference and length of competition.

Here are some current registration dates:

  • Raul Briones Cup team registration is open September 10 - November 10 *(California only)

  • Master's Cup (over30) team registration is open September 10 - October 5 *(California only)

  • US Open Cup - teams will be notified when the USOC registration is open
  • NISA Independent Cup - Qualification is through League and Cup competition

  • USSSA National Cup

  • State Cups - See your regional FAQ page for info on state cup entry

HOW DOES PROMOTION/RELEGATION WORK IN SWPL?

SWPL has strategic partnerships with other local leagues across our network. It is NOT our goal to take over smaller/local leagues. If any team wants to promote up into SWPL then we will pay that league up to 75% of the annual league fee to show solidarity to that league. We will also encourage the team to become a club and form a reserve team to continue playing in the league they came from.

Within SWPL, depending on the region we have pro/rel. The division champion is promoted the following season and does not have to pay their annual league fee to help offset the costs of moving to a higher division.

Promotion is NOT mandatory. If a team wins a championship they can pass on the promotion and stay in their division. In this case the team does not get their league fee waived.

Relegation is reviewed on a case by case basis. As is true for all amateur leagues every year there are teams who come and go. We give priority to teams who do not want to relegate based on the number of teams who join the following season. 

Our ultimate goal is that each division is as competitive as possible and we review each decision amongst our staff and have discussions with each team as necessary

A club is allowed to start at a higher division if there is a vacancy and a returning team does not want the spot

HOW LONG IS A "SEASON"

While this varies by region (see links to Regional FAQ's to see specifics), we believe in and it is our goal in each region to play in the traditional 10 month season that reflects world football (specifically, the European Calendar of football). Once we can get to at least 2 divisions and 10 teams per division then we only run one season a year for our adult open divisions.  They start in September and end in May/June.  Our U23 division competes from May - August to accommodate college player schedules.

PLAYER FAQ

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO COMPETE IN THE SWPL?

A minimum of 15 years old.

CAN I REGISTER AS A FREE AGENT?

Yes, you can fill out a PLAYER INTEREST FORM which is made available to all owners and managers. Then you may register under the PLAYER REGISTRATION PAGE, where further instructions will be provided.