What age groups does Sting Nebraska serve?Programming spans Little Stingers (about U4–U5) and Pre-Academy (U5–U6) through academy (U7–U10), recreational leagues (roughly U6–U13, with broader U5–U17 branding), and competitive tracks from U11–U19 including MLS NEXT boys (U13–U19), ECNL RL girls (U13–U19), and Pre-ECNL girls (U11–U12).

About
Sting Nebraska is the Midwest division of the national Sting Soccer organization, formed in 2020 to raise player quality across Nebraska and the broader Heartland. Families in Omaha, Lincoln, and York encounter a full pathway from introductory Little Stingers sessions through academy training, competitive league teams, and elite national platforms for boys and girls.
Programs and competitive platforms
Girls at the highest levels compete in ECNL Regional League within the Heartland Conference, with Pre-ECNL Heartland teams bridging younger athletes toward that environment. Boys compete in MLS NEXT and the newer MLS NEXT 2 tier, which adds regional league play, tournaments, and national qualification paths while keeping MLS NEXT training and scouting standards. Competitive boys and girls teams also play in the NYSL, with rosters fielded across Lincoln, Omaha, and York so players train close to home while facing strong league opposition.
Academy and youngest ages
The academy model serves as an alternative to traditional recreational teams for players ready for a progressive curriculum. Omaha and Lincoln each run academy programming for roughly U7–U10, with Pre-Academy for U5–U6 and Little Stingers for U4–U5. Licensed academy staff emphasize skill growth, confidence, and a bridge into competitive soccer rather than a single short-season rec schedule.
Recreational soccer
Sting Nebraska Recreational focuses on fun, learning through play, and character for players roughly U6–U13, with parent and volunteer coaches shaping teamwork and sportsmanship. The York division (Sting York Rec) runs coed fall leagues with eight-game seasons at the York Soccer Complex; published registration pricing is $50 or $66 with a jersey included, and volunteer coaches can receive one child’s registration fee waived. Recreational questions go to StingYorkRec@StingSoccer.com for the York program.
Tryouts, camps, and next steps
Annual competitive tryouts for the 2026/27 seasonal year are promoted in May, with separate registration flows for Omaha and Lincoln academy and competitive tracks. Families can register through the tryouts hub, review the age-group chart starting fall 2026/27, and reach division directors by phone or email when they need placement help. The club also hosts college clinics, ID camps, and player opportunity events alongside its team-store and camp listings.
How to reach the club
General questions can go to admin@stingsoccer.com. Omaha academy families can contact the Omaha Academy Director at 402-218-6398; competitive tryouts and platform-specific questions are routed to the directors listed for MLS NEXT, ECNL RL, Pre-Elite, Lincoln academy, and York recreational coordination.
Explore more teams
Compare Sting Nebraska with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader Nebraska programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Omaha families train and play?Omaha has its own academy and competitive tryout and team pathways alongside Lincoln and York. Competitive boys and girls NYSL teams are fielded in all three communities, and the club maintains facility maps for training sites across the division.
What elite leagues does the club offer?Girls compete in ECNL Regional League (Heartland Conference) and Pre-ECNL Heartland. Boys compete in MLS NEXT and MLS NEXT 2. Many competitive teams also play NYSL, giving Midwest league experience before or alongside national platform play.
When are competitive tryouts for 2026/27?The division promotes tryouts in May for the 2026/27 seasonal year, with online registration for Omaha and Lincoln academy and competitive programs. Families should use the published age-group chart for fall 2026/27 and contact the listed directors if they need help choosing the right track.
How much does York recreational soccer cost?Sting York Rec fall registration is published at $50, or $66 when a jersey is included, for U6–U13 coed teams playing eight games at the York Soccer Complex. Volunteer coaches may have one child’s registration fee waived.
How do we contact Sting Nebraska?Email admin@stingsoccer.com for general questions. Recreational York inquiries go to StingYorkRec@StingSoccer.com. Omaha academy families can call 402-218-6398; tryouts and platform leads list additional director phone numbers and emails.
Other Clubs in Nebraska

402 Development Academy
Lincoln youth soccer from U7 through U19: 402 Development Academy offers academy and competitive Nebraska League pathways at the Fieldhouse and Speedway Sports Complex.
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Evolution Soccer Club
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Gretna Elite Academy
Gretna youth soccer from U4 through ECNL: Junior Academy, academy clinics, select teams, boys and girls ECNL, ECNL RL, and NPL pathways in the Omaha metro.
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Lincoln Surf
Lincoln Surf is a Lincoln-based 501(c)(3) youth soccer club (formerly Dreamers FC) offering recreational through premier pathways, regional tournament travel, Surf Nation support, and Surf Select access for identified players, with a volunteer-led model focused on affordability.
Lincoln, Nebraska
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Metro Omaha Wolves Soccer Club
Metro Omaha Wolves offers Soccer Start for ages 4–6, no-cut Impact Wolves Academy for younger players, and tryout-based select teams through high school, with training centered at La Vista Sports Complex, annual fees from about nine hundred fifty to about fourteen ninety-nine, and May tryouts or team formation for the next cycle.
Omaha, Nebraska
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Omaha Surf SC
Omaha Surf SC in Papillion serves ages 3–19 with Little Surfers, rec soccer, Academy U7–U10, and Select U11–U19—1,000+ players in the Omaha metro since 1974.
Papillion, Nebraska
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Omaha United Soccer Club
Omaha United SC serves the Omaha metro with United Micro (youngest ages), United Academy, and Select teams (U11–U19). Training uses Skutt High School, La Vista Sports Complex, Lake Zorinsky, 4 Seams Academy, and Smash Indoor. Tryouts in June; Select tuition $1,295 or $1,225 by birth year and high school status. Call +1-402-740-9977 or email admin@omahaunitedsc.com.
Omaha, Nebraska
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Papillion Soccer Club
Papillion Soccer Club serves ages 3–19 with Little Surfers, rec/TDP, Surf Academy, and Select tryouts—one of the largest Omaha-area youth programs since 1974.
Papillion, Nebraska
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Sporting Nebraska FC
Omaha-Lincoln youth soccer from rec U4 through ECNL and Girls Academy: Sporting Nebraska FC serves ages 4–19 with academy pathways and TOPSoccer.
Omaha, Nebraska
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