NCFC will pause USL Championship play, seeks move to Division One

North Carolina Football Club told fans and local media in early November 2025 that the team will step away from USL Championship competition after completing the 2025 season. Club leadership described the action as a strategic reset intended to concentrate resources on a longer term plan that could include pursuing a purpose built stadium that meets top tier standards and positioning the franchise for a higher division opportunity in the future.

The announcement was published across local outlets and sports news aggregators on November 4 and 5, 2025. Chairman Steve Malik is identified as leading the ownership group through the repositioning effort. One concrete benchmark mentioned in reporting is the 15,000 seat capacity that divisional standards often cite for top level professional soccer venues, a target that the club says it will consider as part of potential stadium planning.

For Wake County residents, the immediate effect will be seen in the WakeMed Soccer Park calendar. The club’s move changes expectations for future seasons at the Cary venue and could reduce the number of professional men’s matches hosted there after 2025 unless a new league agreement or alternate arrangement is secured. That scheduling shift matters to season ticket holders, local youth and community program partners, and the many small businesses that depend on match day traffic.

Economically, professional soccer matches generate spending on concessions, parking, and nearby restaurants and hotels. A pause in USL Championship play may mean lower event related revenue for vendors and service workers who rely on regular home matches. Over the longer term, a successful upgrade to a Division One venue could expand media exposure, sponsorship opportunities, and attendance capacity, which would increase potential local economic benefits if a purpose built stadium is realized and events are scaled up.

The decision also raises questions for public policy and local planning. Pursuing a new stadium at Division One standards would likely trigger discussions about site selection, traffic and infrastructure impacts, zoning approvals, and possible public financing or incentives. Those debates have become familiar in other markets where teams seek larger facilities to meet league requirements.

For now, NCFC will complete the 2025 campaign under current arrangements while ownership explores next steps. Fans and local stakeholders will be watching for formal proposals on stadium plans and any announcements about league affiliations, timelines, or interim scheduling for WakeMed Soccer Park. The outcome will shape the local sports landscape and the economic footprint of professional soccer in Wake County for years to come.