The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) was founded to improve the daily environment for youth soccer players through a collaborative club-based development program featuring competition, player identification, and coaching and club development platforms. The ECNL includes both regular season conference games and cross-conference events.  Qualifying teams from each Conference will advance to the ECNL Postseason.

The ECNL is based on the values of grass-roots collaboration and innovation, and supports the independence and freedom of coaches and clubs to fully manage the development path for their players, including the system and style of play, the competitive calendar, and all aspects of the development path. The ECNL has raised standards in training, competition, club organization, and coaching in a holistic development program.

The ECNL is led by a Board of Directors elected by the member clubs.