Austin FC Academy — Center of Excellence

Austin FC Academy is a selective pathway connected to the city’s professional team, not an after-school league open to every child. Its Center of Excellence works around the U12 age group and can identify selected players for U13 Academy training while they remain with their home club. The club describes COE sessions as invitation-only after evaluation. For families, the key distinction is that a trial-interest form is only a request to be considered, not an offer of a roster place.

The public 2026–27 notice listed an October 9 Center of Excellence trial for players born in 2014, 2015 or 2016; the U13 open trial that day was for birth years 2015 and 2016. The deadline to register interest was September 30, so those fall opportunities have passed. Austin FC says the Academy does not routinely hold open tryouts and directs families to submit player information for staff review. These pages do not list tuition; ask about a future evaluation, age eligibility and any event cost before traveling.

The training base is St. David’s Performance Center in North Austin, shared by Austin FC’s first team, Austin FC II and the Academy. The club describes a 23-acre site with natural-grass and artificial surfaces; the Texas project registry records the address as 14001 Center Lake Drive. Sessions are not public drop-ins, so use the route only after a confirmed appointment. Austin has a professional MLS team, but the Academy promises neither selection nor a contract. Check Academy news and recruitment notices before submitting a player.