Youth Soccer in Reno – A Reno Dads Guide

[Updated for 2021] It’s that time of year again, when registration for spring youth sports are opening up and parents all over Reno are clearing their calendars for baseball, softball, soccer, and every other sport hosting spring leagues.

With so many options, we wanted to compile a list of community and private organizations below concentrating on the younger kids (as most teens are already familiar with their league and options). For those that aren’t, feel free to reach out and we can assist in getting you to the right place.

This article focuses on youth soccer in Reno, Sparks, Tahoe, and Carson City areas. You can check out the Youth Baseball Guide here. Ideally, we would like to compile a resource for other sports, so feel free to share some sports you’d like to know about and we will try to do some digging around for you! If you notice that a league or team is missing or want us to add your organization, please let us know and we can add it to the list.

About Youth Soccer

Youth soccer has different leagues and organizations in our area each with a different focus. Most leagues are primarily focused on recreational and community play. If you are looking for recreational play, American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) and Great Basin Youth Soccer League (GBYSL) have large organizations throughout our area for all age groups. There are also other organizations, like Soccer Shots and Reno Sports Dome offering options for younger kids.

For competitive soccer, GBYSL coordinates play among the various competitive teams throughout the region. For details, I’d recommend you check out the sites for GBYSL or any of the other competitive teams.

American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO)

AYSO has been providing a world-class youth soccer program for more than fifty years based on their Six Philosophies of Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, Open Registration and Player Development. Built on the power of volunteer support, AYSO brings together community members to coach, referee and support their local Regions with the ultimate goal of creating a fun, family-friendly environment where your child can grow and develop not only their soccer skills but their leadership and social skills for life.

Great Basin Youth Soccer League

Registration Closes 3/6!! – Great Basin Youth Soccer League (GBYSL) has been providing soccer programs for the youth of Northern Nevada for over 32 years. They are affiliated with Nevada Youth Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, and are a member of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP). GBYSL soccer players come from the communities of Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline, Gardnerville, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Elko, and Susanville.

GBYSL recreational program starts at U4 (U means UNDER the age group) and goes through U13. The age chart can be found under the recreational soccer tab in order for you to see which age group is appropriate for the player. For U14-U18, they offer a street soccer program.

Their competitive program starts at U10 and goes through U19. Websites for the different clubs and independent teams is below.

Competitive Soccer Teams

For competitive soccer, GBYSL coordinates play among the various competitive teams throughout the region. I am unfamiliar with the details, however, you can check out the competition teams site at GBYSL or any of the competitive teams below and reach out to them directly with questions.

Tryouts are in June for competitive teams

Other Soccer Options

The following organizations run youth soccer programs for the younger kids, generally under 8 years old.

Soccer Shots – unknown
Soccer Shots offers three different programs to meet the developmental needs of children aged 2-8.

Reno Sports Dome – programs seasonally throughout the year
Spring registration has not opened yet and they are currently in the midst of their Winter league.

Northern Nevada Sports and Recreation (NNSR) – Peewee in May
For children ages 3-5.


If you enjoyed this article, check out our Youth Baseball in Reno Guide and A Coach’s Promise To Your Kids. As always, thanks for your support.

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One Comment Add yours

  1. Shannon Owens says:

    Hello, Reno Sportsdome offer the Soccer Sprouts youth development program teaching the fundamentals of soccer through fun games and activities for children ages 18 mos- 10 years. Registration is now open for the new season which starts April 13!!! http://www.renodome.com under the Soccer Sprouts tab for more info or email: sprouts@renodome.com Thanks!

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