A Look at All 21 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Conferences

Jonathan Turner
3 days ago
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

With the 2025 NCAA men’s soccer season fast approaching, programs across the country are preparing for another competitive year. The Division I landscape features 21 conferences that sponsor men’s soccer, ranging from powerhouse leagues that annually produce national champions to smaller conferences where emerging programs look to make their mark.

Power Conferences Lead the Way

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big East, Big Ten, and Pac-12 stand at the forefront of Division I soccer. These leagues are home to perennial contenders, producing MLS talent and NCAA champions year after year. The ACC in particular has been dominant, sending multiple teams to the College Cup in recent seasons.

Mid-Major Strength Across the Country

Beyond the power leagues, the strength of college soccer runs deep through a wide array of mid-major conferences. The American Athletic Conference (AAC), Atlantic 10 (A-10), and Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) consistently send teams into the NCAA Tournament that are capable of pulling off deep runs.

Traditional soccer hotbeds can be found in the Ivy League, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), and Patriot League, where rivalries and regional ties fuel competitive balance. The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Southern Conference (SoCon) also continue to develop competitive programs that regularly challenge nationally ranked teams.

Western and Regional Impact

On the western side of the country, the West Coast Conference (WCC) and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) provide homes for programs that often fly under the radar but boast strong traditions. The Sun Belt Conference, reinvigorated with new members in recent years, has quickly become one of the most exciting leagues in men’s soccer.

Other conferences like the America East, Atlantic Sun (ASUN), Horizon League, Northeast Conference (NEC), and Summit League showcase regional depth and provide opportunities for growth in non-traditional soccer markets.

a look at the pre-season ACC Mens Soccer Poll

Full List of NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Conferences

America East Conference
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN)
Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10)
Big East Conference
Big Ten Conference
Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Horizon League
Ivy League
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)
Northeast Conference (NEC)
Pac-12 Conference
Patriot League
Southern Conference (SoCon)
Summit League
Sun Belt Conference
West Coast Conference (WCC)
Western Athletic Conference (WAC)

Looking Ahead

With 21 conferences shaping the Division I men’s soccer landscape, the pathway to the NCAA Tournament remains as competitive as ever. From powerhouse programs in the ACC and Big Ten to rising challengers in the Sun Belt and WCC, the 2025 season promises no shortage of storylines as teams across the country battle for conference crowns and NCAA berths.