CHICAGO (May 3, 2024) - NISA Nation and its regional premier league affiliates, in coordination with the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), are pleased to announce the return of the NISA Nation National Championship. The tournament will again take place in Southern California this Deember featuring regional amateur champions. Last year's match was the first-ever amateur match streamed on FIFA+.

NISA Nation kicked of the 2024 season in April. Those 22 clubs will join more than 350 clubs from across NISA affiliate leagues Cascadia Premier League, Eastern Premier Soccer League, Florida Gold Coast League, Metroplex Premier League, Mountain Premier League and Southwest Premier League in a fight for a spot in the Final Four.

Last year, Eastern Premier Soccer League side NoVa FC defeated Las Vegas Legends FC of the NISA Nation Southwest Region 2-2 (5-2 in penalties) in what was the the first amateur national championship ever broadcast globally on FIFA+. FC Brownsville (Texas) and Peak XI FC (Colo.) were the other two semi-finalists.

"Last winter's match was an amazing experience for our league and for the clubs involved," says NISA Commissioner John Prutch. "In fact, the success on the pitch merited both NoVa and Las Vegas an invitation to make the jump to the professional level in NISA. Opportunities like the championship provide clubs a bigger goal on a bigger platform to demonstrate their skills on the pitch and as organizations."

By virtue of its championship title in the Eastern Premier Soccer League, NoVa FC accepted the EPSL's automatic entry into last year's tournament. Conversely, Las Vegas Legends FC won the inaugural SWPL West Region Championship in Reno, Nev. to earn its spot.

"The NISA Nation National Championship is for our regional league affiliates to utilize as they compete and grow in the crowded space of men's soccer in the United States," says NISA Nation Director Matt Morse. "There's power in the NISA Nation. Some of these regional leagues and clubs have deep histories so much richer than the current professional leagues. This tournament is for them to showcase their best clubs and players, and to benefit from the connections, promotional abilities and broadcast capabilities of NISA and its partners to create a better future."