Sarasota Paradise are on the brink of something big. After just a few seasons in USL League Two, the city’s semi-professional soccer team is preparing to go pro—joining USL League One in 2026 and giving Sarasota their first professional soccer team.

“This season has been about educating our community about what's to come next year,” says Marcus Walfridson, founder and CEO of Sarasota Paradise. “This started with the U.S. Open Cup, where we played FC Naples, which are currently in the league we are moving into, and it’s given fans a glimpse of what’s coming.”

What It Means to Go Pro

USL League Two has given college players a chance to compete at a high level without jeopardizing their NCAA eligibility. But USL League One marks a whole new playing field.

The transition means full professionalism: longer seasons running from March to October, players on contracts, increased national attention, and a more demanding level of competition. It also means expanded expectations off the pitch: business operations, community engagement, and infrastructure development all need to scale up.

Fans can already stake their claim on this next chapter. Paradise are now accepting $26 deposits for 2026 season tickets. These early supporters will receive priority in seat selection with the deposit applied as credit when full-season tickets go on sale. More details can be found on their website. 

Building the Foundation

The move to League One hasn’t happened overnight. Behind the scenes, Sarasota Paradise have been laying the groundwork. While specifics are still under wraps, the organization promises the game day experience in 2026 will be on another level. “We’ve been gradually adding infrastructure to Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch to get ready for USL League One,” says Walfridson. “It’s about taking the right steps and doing it right.”

From now until the start of the next season, Sarasota Paradise will remain active in the community—hosting major events, maintaining a presence at local farmers markets, and engaging with schools and youth organizations throughout the area. A special Sarasota Paradise Day, officially recognized by the City of Sarasota, is coming up on August 19, 2025.

More Than a Team: Cultivating a Soccer Culture

Sarasota’s demographics—diverse, youthful, family-oriented—make it a natural fit for the sport’s continued growth. USL League One specifically seeks communities like Sarasota, where strong local ownership meets civic energy and a love for the game.

But the club’s ambitions don’t stop at the men’s side.

“In time, we will have a women’s professional soccer team,” Walfridson reveals. “Our goal is to start a semi-pro women’s team hopefully next year and then maybe a pro team after that.”

A Call to the Community

Looking ahead, Sarasota Paradise is focused on more than just the scoreboard. It’s about building something lasting—a culture, a fanbase, a place for the next generation.

“Kickoff 2026 is what we are looking forward to,” Walfridson says. “A sold-out Premier Sports Campus and hopefully getting three points.”

With a number of new teams—including Paradise—set to be added to the USL League One roster, the league will grow beyond the current 14 teams. Sarasota won’t just be joining the pros. It will be helping define what the next era of American soccer looks like. League One President Lee O’Neill sums it up: “We’re proud of the continued growth of League One and bringing professional soccer to more communities across the U.S.,” O’Neill said. “It’s important we grow the club footprint to the point where we can create a regionalized competition structure. This is beneficial to our clubs from an operations standpoint, but it also helps build stronger club rivalries—and regional rivalries create a more exciting atmosphere for fans and lead to more success off the field for our clubs.”

Reserve your spot in history. Season ticket deposits for 2026 are now open. Visit Sarasota Paradise to secure priority seat selection and get ready for an exciting season.