Penn Rising XI, Reading Rage Surf joining MLS Next in 2026-27

Allentown, Pa.-based Penn Rising XI and Reading Rage Surf are among the new clubs joining MLS Next for the 2026-27 season.

Penn Rising XI – a new club – is joining the homegrown division and Reading Rage Surf are joining the academy division of MLS Next.

With this expansion, MLS Next will be represented in 40 states, along with the District of Columbia, and will include 318 clubs and over 53,000 players across both Divisions.

“We are excited to add these new clubs to the MLS Next community as we continue to grow the game and develop the next generation of talent in North America’s player development platform,” Luis Robles, MLS Next Technical Director, said in a news release. “Their commitment to building high-performance environments for young athletes raises the standard across our platform and reinforces the strength of our membership. These organizations have demonstrated a clear dedication to nurturing top talent, as we continue elevating the standards of elite youth development.”

Clubs will compete in regular season matches, regional tournaments, and MLS NEXT national events, while also benefiting from coaching education programs, talent identification initiatives, and high-performance development opportunities.

MLS Next currently has six area clubs in the homegrown division and five clubs in the academy division. They include Philadelphia Union (homegrown), FC Delco (both), Real Futbol Academy (both), PA Classics (both), Keystone FC (both), Sporting Athletic Club (both) and PA Classics Harrisburg (academy).

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

See Full Bio