SoCal FAQ

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

HOW LONG IS A "SEASON"

For SWPL, seasons vary by region (see other 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).

Our goal was to get a minimum of 10 games. The reason for this is because that is the minimum criteria for team requirements to be able to sign up for the US Open Cup. 

For COSTS to below leagues see the League Cost page

U23 Divisions

  • Men's & Women's Conferences
  • Play Dates: May-June-July
  • Number of Games: 10-12
  • Travel: maximum of 3 hours (southern California)

Men's Open Divisions

  • Promotion & Relegation: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Divisions where applicable
  • Conferences: Regional based on location and level
    • Los Angeleds
    • Orange County
    • Inland Empire
    • San Diego
  • Format: European calendar - Home/Away, single table, League Cup
  •  Eligible for qualification to the NISA Independent Cup
  • Eligible for promotion to NISA Nation
  • Eligible for US Open Cup
  • Play Dates: "Season" September thru May
  • Number of Games:
    • 18-20 league games
    • 4-9 Cup games
    • Total = 29 potential games
  • ​NISA Independent Cup Playoffs
    • SWPL will hold regional playoffs for all regions. The top 1 or 2 teams in each region will enter a playoff series in June to compete for a spot in the NISA Independent Cup

Women's Open

  • Fall Season
    • Start of season - September 2023
    • Format - Home/Away = 10-14 games
    • End of season - December 2024
  • Spring Season
    • Repeat above starting January 2024, ending May 2024

We will determine the exact format of the seasons based on the total number of teams registered and accepted into the league by August 1, 2023. The overall goal is to achieve 20 league games between September - May

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:

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.

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

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.