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The New York Cosmos return - storied club starting USL League One play in March 2026

The New York Cosmos will be returning to the field in 2026 as part of USL League One, the club announced on Thursday.Famously, once home to stars like Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, the Cosmos was the star franchise of the original NASL, running from 1970-1985. During that time, the club built a worldwide reputation, staking its claim as one of the most recognizable brands in the sport. It was revived alongside a new version of the NASL, beginning play in 2013. However, after the collapse of the league and a brief stay in the newly founded NISA, the club paused operations in January 2021.READ MORE: <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/i-follow-my-heart-not-my-pockets-giuseppe-rossi-on-his-sense-of-home-life-as-an-italian-american-turning-down-the-usmnt-and-why-his-return-to-new-jersey-s-soccer-scene-means-to-much/bltf2e3fc4dbffc1dc5" target="_self">Rossi discusses return to N.J. soccer</a>The latest iteration of the Cosmos will begin playing in Paterson, N.J., starting in March of 2026. Hinchliffe Stadium, a National Historic Landmark that was once home to Negro League baseball, will serve as the club's home base as the club kicks off a new era. The club, which was previously known as the North Jersey Pro Soccer project, will also field a women's team in the near future and will have a heavy focus on youth development in the local community.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The club already has some familiar faces in leadership positions, headlined by Giuseppe Rossi, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/i-follow-my-heart-not-my-pockets-giuseppe-rossi-on-his-sense-of-home-life-as-an-italian-american-turning-down-the-usmnt-and-why-his-return-to-new-jersey-s-soccer-scene-means-to-much/bltf2e3fc4dbffc1dc5" target="_self">who will serve as Vice Chairman and Head of Soccer</a>. Managing the club's day-to-day operation will be CEO Erik Stover, who previously served as the Cosmos' COO for nearly a decade. Prior to that stint, he was also managing director of the New York Red Bulls, located in nearby Harrison, N.J.The club's new majority owner is Bayer Adofo-Wilson, a native of Paterson and the co-owner/developer of Hinchcliffe Stadium. North Jersey Pro Soccer has acquired the Cosmos' intellectual and physical property, history, and heritage from New York Cosmos LLC, owned by Rocco Commisso. New York Cosmos LLC retains a minority stake in the club.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

“Hinchliffe Stadium is an economic driver for the region,” said Adofo-Wilson. “Bringing the Cosmos to Hinchliffe Stadium will give us an additional anchor for Hinchliffe Stadium, the City of Paterson and North Jersey. It will also give young people in our region the opportunity to watch exciting, affordable professional sports in their backyard.”Added New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy: “As we stand just three days away from the FIFA Club World Cup final, a little over two weeks away from the Premier League Summer Series, and look ahead to the excitement that awaits us in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there’s no better time or place to announce the return of the New York Cosmos to Northern New Jersey. I am thankful to all of the wonderful leaders and our partners in the legislature, whose support makes moments like these possible. From national championship-winning teams to global soccer events and the rebirth of storied clubs, together we are quickly transforming New Jersey into the soccer capital of the world.”

WHAT WAS SAID

The club will begin play in March as part of the USL League One, the second division of the league's overall pyramid. The league, which currently features 14 clubs, is set to introduce seven new ones, including the Cosmos, in 2026.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE COSMOS?

The New York Cosmos return - storied club starting USL League One play in March 2026 | Goal.com

One of American soccer&apos;s most famous brands is set to return to the field