2026 USL2 Playoff Structure | Rubber City Underground

It’s never too early to be talking about the playoffs!!

The USL2 has released the structure for the 2026 league-wide playoffs. The playoffs will feature 35 teams from across all four USL2 conferences. Eight teams from the Central Conference (in which ACFC plays) will make the playoffs with each of the five division winners receiving an automatic bid. The second place team in the Heartland Division will also receive an automatic bid.

The final two spots will be determined by a playoff between the remaining second place teams. The Great Forest Division (ACFC) will play the Great Lakes Division, while the Great Plains Division will go up against the Valley Division.

The playoff schedule is as follows, so mark your calendars now!!

First Round (Eastern Conference): July 13th and July 14th
Round of 32 & Round of 16: July 17th and July 19th, hosted at eight regional sites
Conference Finals & National Semifinals: July 24th and July 26th, hosted at two sites
USL League Two Final: August 1st