USL Championship
USL Championship franchises enable investors to own and operate a men's professional soccer team (Club) participating in the USL Championship league, a Division II league sanctioned by the United Soccer Federation. Franchisees must comply with league standards, rules, minimum performance for revenues and attendance, and compete for fans, sponsors, merchandise, and event attendees against other sports and entertainment options. The business model involves substantial initial investments for team setup and ongoing league participation fees, targeting sports entrepreneurs in local markets.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
No royalty or ad fund. Key ongoing fees include annual Participation Fee up to $378,896 (max 15% annual increase), $1.50 per ticket surcharge, USSF membership ~$106,667 and player registration $1,333 annually, plus variable reporting software, website hosting/maintenance, insurance, referees, and other pass-through fees.
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How USL Championship Compares to Other Sports & Recreation Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 100% of Sports & Recreation franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
USL Championship Current | $31.5M - $39.8M | $25.0M | N/A | 24 |
| FREEDOM BOAT CLUB | $224K - $503K | $50K | 6.0% | 269 |
| i9 SPORTS | $60K - $70K | $25K | 7.5% | 264 |
| AQUA-TOTS SWIM SCHOOLS | $1.6M - $2.9M | $50K | 6.0% | 131 |
| X-GOLF | $1.1M - $1.7M | $40K | 7.0% | 122 |
| Cruisin' Tikis | $83K - $124K | $20K | 6.0% | 106 |
Sports & Recreation Average 26 franchises | $1.8M - $2.7M | $1.0M | 7.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 26 Sports & Recreation franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+6 more states
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Termination dispute with former franchisee (team operator) alleging improper termination, fraudulent inducement, and related financial obligations.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a USL Championship franchise?
The total initial investment to open a USL Championship franchise ranges from $31,486,450 to $39,761,944. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000,000.
How many USL Championship franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, USL Championship has 24 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1996.
Is USL Championship a good franchise to buy?
Whether USL Championship is a good franchise investment depends on your personal goals, available capital, and local market conditions. We recommend reviewing the full FDD, speaking with existing franchisees listed in Item 20, and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in USL Championship?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if USL Championship is the right fit for you.
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