The Sporting Kansas City Academy has experienced a highly successful history since its formation in 2007. The program currently consists of six teams at the U-18, U-16 and U-15 levels.

Sporting KC Academy players have the opportunity to eventually join the Sporting Kansas City first team without going through the MLS draft process. In late 2006, Major League Soccer announced an initiative that created a “Homegrown Protected List” for each team. Clubs now have the opportunity to retain the professional rights of players developed within its youth academy. Sporting KC immediately began investing significant resources in the identification and development of young players from the region. Sporting KC, along with all other MLS Academies, participates in the FIFA training compensation and solidarity payment system, as codified in FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

The Sporting KC Academy has produced 22 Homegrown Players who have been signed to the Sporting Kansas City senior team and was named MLS Academy of the Year in 2018.

* Denotes current player on Sporting KC first-team

The Academy program is fully funded, meaning the Academy covers all costs for gear and traveling expenses. All home games are played at the team's Children's Mercy Training Center at Swope Soccer Village. Sporting Kansas City and the Sporting KC Academy also offer youth camps throughout the calendar year.

The U-18, U-16, and U-15 teams play in MLS NEXT, the elite youth competition platform providing year-round high-level matches for MLS club academy and non-MLS academy teams that previously participated in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

In 2016, the Sporting KC Academy launched the Center of Excellence for younger age groups. The Sporting KC COE is a supplemental training program that aims to strengthen players' skill foundations and identify players for Sporting KC Academy teams.

If you have any questions, please email academy@sportingkc.com.