Introduction
So, you’ve been thinking of starting an adult soccer league but aren’t sure where to begin. Maybe you love playing soccer and have played most of your life but can’t find a local league. Perhaps you recently discovered the game, have fallen in love with it, and want to play more. Or maybe you moved somewhere with no league within a 100-mile radius (and let’s face it, no one wants to drive that far to play).
Whatever the reason, you’re ready to bring people together to play the beautiful game but are unsure where to start. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Below, we’ll walk you through five steps to help you turn your vision into reality. And if you’ve been waiting for a sign, here it is: THIS is your sign! We’re backing you 100% to start your league today. 😂
Let’s get into it.
1. Decide Your League Type
First, you’ll need a clear vision for your league. Answering these questions will help you set the foundation:
- Will it be a women’s, men’s, or coed league?
- Are there age restrictions (e.g. over 30s or 40s)?
- What’s the intensity level—casual or competitive?
- When will games be played—weeknights or weekends or both?
- What will the team size be—7v7, 8v8, or 11v11?
Having these answers upfront helps you recruit the right players, set league rules, and create schedules, among other things. Don’t stress about getting it perfect right away—you can always tweak things as you grow and learn.
2. Find a Place to Play
There’s no playing soccer without a place to play. Notice I said a place to play, not a field? This is because soccer can be played on grass, turf, or hard floor. It can be outdoors or indoors. This is part of deciding the kind of league you want to create.
There are several places to start looking—Parks and Recs, local schools or universities, abandoned parking lots, and your rich friend’s humongous yard (yes, we’ve seen this). Think creatively about where to look. Remember, soccer doesn’t require much - you can do a lot with little.
Key tip: Reach out to your local Parks and Rec department or schools for potential partnerships—they often have underused spaces available.
3. Recruit Players
While playing soccer alone is fun, playing with other people is much more fun. Find people who already love the game or people who are open to trying a new sport.
The good news is you don’t have to stand by the roadside with a placard. Start with family, friends and colleagues. Then expand your search with Facebook or Meetup groups. Use Instagram to find people. Ask Parks & Rec to announce in their newsletter. Put fliers in local coffee shops, gyms and stores.
Get creative! The key is spreading the word far and wide. You’ll be surprised how many people are looking for a chance to play.
4. Choose the Right League Management Software
Once you have players and a location, you’ll need a system to manage everything—registrations, schedules, payments, and communication. This is where the league management software comes in.
When choosing a platform, look for one built for adult leagues. Since most platforms cater to youth sports, they may not meet your needs. Enter BANTR, a platform built specifically for adult sports, is beautiful and modern, and prioritizes the player experience. Bantr helps simplify league operations so you spend less time organizing and more time playing. Seems like the only logical conclusion, right?
You’re welcome to explore other options, but we’re fairly confident Bantr would be your top choice. 😉
5. Name Your League
Here’s the fun part - choosing a name! A great league name is memorable and meaningful. Consider these approaches:
- Incorporate your location - Chicago Adult Soccer League
- Choose something unique - Soccer Roof
- Highlight demographics - Northwest United Women's Soccer
Think about the future too. If you plan to expand, a broader name might work better than one tied to a specific city or demographic. Ultimately, it comes down to what you believe is best for the league you’re creating. Bounce ideas off family, friends and even potential players until you find the perfect fit.
6. Consider State Affiliations
Yes, we promised five steps but we’re overachievers here at Bantr. So, here’s a sixth step to consider: affiliating with your state soccer association There are pros to state affiliations like insurance coverage for players and access to certified referees.
But there are cons too–added bureaucracy, potential restrictions on how you run your league, and additional fees for players. It’s not mandatory, so weigh the benefits and drawbacks to decide if it’s right for your league.
Final Thoughts
Starting an adult soccer league is exciting and rewarding–but it does require effort. The good news? The payoff is worth it. You’ll get to play more, build a community, and create lasting memories.
And at Bantr, we will be cheering you on every step of the way. Need advice? League management tools? Connections? We’ve got your back! We’re happy to connect you with other league organizers for tips and inspiration.
Now, what are you waiting for? Lace-up those cleats and start building your dream league today–the ball is in your courts, literally!