Northern Illinois Soccer LG

The Northern Illinois Soccer League (NISL) is a non-profit competitive youth soccer league for boys and girls aged U8 through U19. Founded in 1975, we have been dedicated to the development of youth soccer in the Chicago area for over 49 years.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple: we prioritize the player in every soccer-related decision we make. We believe in creating and maintaining a league that focuses on the development of players at various levels and provides a competitive and equal playing field. Our goal is to nurture the growth of club and community soccer programs throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area and surrounding states.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment for children to develop their talents, knowledge, and appreciation for the game of soccer. We aim to give equal opportunities to all soccer players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate in youth soccer competitions. We believe in promoting good sportsmanship, principles of fair play, and the building of good character among our players.

Services Offered

We offer a variety of services to our member clubs and players, including scheduling, standings, and game documents for U23 teams, as well as providing rules, registration, and conference schedules for our league and premier leagues. We also have resources for referees, including education and technical area information, and offer coaching education courses through the US Soccer Federation and NSCAA-United Soccer Coaches.

NPL Finals Pathway

The NPL Finals Pathway is a premier program designed to provide the highest level of competition for top teams in the NPL. This program allows teams to compete against the best in the country and offers a clear pathway to the NPL Finals, which are held annually. We offer pathways for both boys and girls teams, ensuring equal opportunities for all players to reach their full potential.

Code of Conduct

At NISL, we believe in maintaining a high level of sportsmanship and respect among our players, coaches, and officials. Our code of conduct outlines the expectations for behavior and sets forth guidelines for discipline in the event of misconduct. We offer our code of conduct in both English and Spanish to ensure that all members of our soccer community can understand and adhere to our standards.

Education and Resources

We are committed to providing our members with the tools and resources they need to succeed. We offer concussion resources, positive coaching alliance information, and US Soccer Federation education courses to help our coaches and officials stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and safety protocols. We also provide access to GotSoccer, a platform that allows teams to manage their schedules, standings, and player information in one convenient place.

History and League Management

NISL was founded in 1975 as a competitive youth soccer league for boys and girls. Today, we are one of the largest youth soccer leagues in the state of Illinois, serving over 97 Chicago area communities. Our league management team consists of experienced players and coaches who are dedicated to creating and maintaining a league that is focused on the development of the players at various levels and providing a competitive and equal playing field.