Tennessee State League

ABOUT TENNESSEE STATE LEAGUE (TSL)

The Tennessee State Soccer Association has hosted the Tennessee State Cup as one of our programs since 1976. The Tennessee State League (TSL) was created to allow our teams a manner in which to qualify for the State Cup by playing and thus seeding each team. The TSL is open to all registered clubs/teams in TSSA ages 12-19. Teams complete an applications and are then placed in proper divisions by the State League Commission. The TSL has competitive levels within 4 Divisions (NCS-D1, PCUP -D2a, GC-D2b, and MC-D3). As a member of the United States Youth Soccer Association our NCS-D1 Champions have the unique opportunity to then compete at National level competition that is within the National Championship Series. The NCS-D1 competitors are considered to be our highest level of competition within the State. Our next level of competition is PCUP -D2a and the Champions at this level have the opportunity to compete at National Presidents Cup Qualifiers and National level competitions that are within the President’s Cup. Our final 2 levels of competition are GC-D2b and MC-D3 . Many of our teams these levesl are newly formed teams or coming from a more recreational based environment.

Within TSL only the top 10 teams are able to compete in the TSL NCS-D1 League. Only the top 8 teams in the final State League standings earn an opportunity to play in the State Cup. The State Cup is completed over 2 weekends and is a single elimination tournament.

Our second division is the TSL PCUP -D2a League. All teams must play one another and there are no automatic qualifying spots within this league. There is no limit to the number of teams that may participate in the Division 2, so at times the TSL Commission may break the groups into brackets. Similar to TSL NCS-D1, only the top 8 teams in the overall final TSL standings will qualify for the State Cup. The State Cup is completed over 2 weekends and is a single elimination tournament.

Our last 2 are TSL GC-D2b, and MC-D3 Leagues. All teams must play one another and there are no automatic qualifying spots within these leagues. There is no limit to the number of teams that may participate in these divisions, so at times the TSL Commission may break the groups into brackets. Within these TSL Divisions, only the top 8 teams in the overall final TSL standings will qualify for the State Cup. TThe State Cup is completed over 2 weekends and is a single elimination tournament.

In the Fall our High School aged girls are not allowed to play both competitive soccer and High School soccer per Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) rules. During the Fall, we have a season ending State Cup for High School aged boys aged 15-19. In the Spring our High School aged boys are under the same TSSAA restrictions. Therefore, we have a season ending State Cup for ages 12-19 girls and 12-14 boys. In both seasons, accepted teams to our Tennessee State League (TSL) compete for either 4 or 8 final spots in our State Cup. The State Cup is conducted in a single eliminations tournament over two weekends where teams play a single important advancement game each day.

For more information on our State Cup, contact our team at TSL@tnsoccer.org.

STATE LEAGUE (TSL) UPDATES 2026-27

2026-27 State Cup Dates: November 14/15 & 21/22, 2026 and May 22/23 & 29/30, 2027

STATE LEAGUE – KEY DATES

FALL 2026 – KEY DATES

Team Registration: Deadline July 12, 2026 EXTENDED. * Teams must be set up and register through Playmetrics

• 2026-27 TSL Rule Changes (Review Rules for ALL updates)
• 12U 9v9 Only with Fall and Spring Seasons
  • Spring State Cup Only
• 13U and 14U will go back to Fall and Spring Seasons with Spring State Cup
• 18 and 19s are combined for all levels

• Registration Fees
  • 12U Teams $450
  • 13U -19U
    • NCS (D1) $850
    • PCUP (D2a) $750
    • GC (D2b) $750
    • MC (D3) $450

TSL Divisions Released:  July 27, 2026

Schedules Completed in System: August 9, 2026 *Tentative

Zoom Information Call: NEW – August 5, 2026 *Tentative

Will need to Register in advance for this meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Play Dates: Aug – Nov *Tentative

• No Rain Date/Make Up Weekend.

Fall State 2026 Cup Dates: November 14/15 and 21/22, 2026

SPRING 2027 – KEY DATES

Team Registration: TBD

• Must have Principal Season Roster set up and with coach/manager
• Must pay registration fee in full when submitting
• U12 9v9 Only Spring Only with State Cup
• U18 and U19s are combined for all levels

TSL Divisions Released: TBD

Schedules Completed in System: TBD

Zoom Meeting : TBD

• MUST REGISTER FOR ZOOM HERE

Play Dates: TBD

• No Rain Date/Make Up Weekend. Allowing to play or schedule all the way up to May
• If games are not completed by May , then the TSL Commission will determine the outcome that game.

Spring State Cup Dates: May 22/23 and 29/30, 2027

STATE CUP – KEY DATES

FALL 2027

Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals November 14-15, 2026:

• NCS, PCUP, GC, MC: 15U-19U Boys

Championships November 21-22, 2026:

• NCS, PCUP, GC, MC: Semi/Finals

SPRING 2026

Quarters/Semis & Finals May 16-17, 2026:

• NCS, PCUP, GC, MC: 13U-14U Boys
• NCS, PCUP, GC, MC: 13U-19U Girls

Championships May 23-24, 2026:

• ALL 12U Boys and Girls 9v9 State Cup (Semi and Finals)
• NCS, PCUP, GC, MC: Semi & Finals 13U-14U Boys 13U-19U Girls

Presidents Cup National Qualifier: June 2027

• 13U-19U Boys and Girls PCUP Champions
• Location: TBD

USYS National Presidents Cup July 2027

• 13U-19U Boys and Girls PCup Qualifiers
• Location: TBD

USYS National Championships July 2027

• 13U-19U Boys and Girls NCS Champions
  • July 16U-19U
  • July 13U-15U
• Location:
  • Murfreesboro, TN (Boys)
  • Salt Lake City, UT (Girls)