SWPL Announces Reactivation of Arizona Premier League

LA MIRADA, CA (February 13, 2023) – Southwest Premier League today confirms its plan to create a regional pathway for players and clubs with the reactivation of Arizona Premier.

Seven clubs have signed agreements to play a Spring Season beginning in March, with more clubs signing on daily. Arizona Premier will feature as many as 10 clubs in the Spring Season.

Last season’s Arizona Premier champion, Mulenge FC, returns as part of a group of clubs that will include Arizona Monarchs, Arizona Sahuaros, SC Saguaros, Valley 602, SC Union Maricopa Reserves and Sporting Arizona, with potentially more clubs to be announced in the coming days.

“We’re continuing to create the pathway in the Southwest Region that connects real opportunities for players and clubs,” SWPL President Matt Morse said. “Arizona Premier represents a dramatic step forward for the amateur game in the Southwest with our low barrier to entry and access to NISA Independent Cup. It’s exciting to see the growth and we’re looking forward to a great competitive circuit this season.”

Arizona Premier launched in 2021 and three teams played a truncated four-match schedule in 2022. 

Southwest Premier League, with regional divisions in Northern and Southern California, launched in 1976 as Coast Soccer League before rebranding as SoCal Premier League in 2008 and expanding into the SWPL in 2020.

The Arizona Premier schedule will be released in early March. More SWPL regional divisions will be announced soon.