LUBBOCK, Texas & TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today that the Lubbock Matadors SC will join USL League Two for the 2026 season. 

Since their founding in 2021, the Matadors have worked to unite their community around the club and grow Lubbock’s sports culture. The Matadors competed in the NPSL for four seasons, reaching the Lone Star Conference Final twice and winning the Conference Championship in 2025. In 2024, Lubbock qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and won two games before falling to USL Championship side New Mexico United in the Third Round. 

“Between their competitive play on the field and work in the community, the Matadors have become a staple in Lubbock,” said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “We look forward to welcoming them into League Two and continuing to see them cultivate passionate soccer fans in Texas.” 

The Matadors make a conscious effort to be visible in their community year-round, by showing up at school events, visiting healthcare workers, and working with local charities to promote physical activity, teamwork, and the spirit of soccer. The club partners with Lubbock Soccer Association to increase access to the sport for local kids and provides season tickets to all kids that register for LSA. 

“We are proud to be accepted into the USL and look forward to building a strong partnership that continues to grow the game and the league,” said Dustin McCorkle, Lubbock Matadors General Manager. “Our goal is to be recognized as a top-performing club both on and off the field. The USL’s commitment to community aligns perfectly with our core values of investing in the people and places we represent.” 

In their brief history, the Matadors have already helped launch multiple players into professional ranks, including Sam Gomez of Monterey Bay FC, and Owen Jack and Dennis Erdmann who played in the USL Championship as recently as the 2024 season. 

Lubbock will compete in League Two’s Southern Conference. 

To learn more about the Lubbock Matadors, visit the club’s website, Instagram, X, and Facebook.