KCAFF Announces Formation of League of Topeka, Challenger League, and Wichita Oberliga

OLATHE, KS – June 1, 2025 — The Kansas City Association Football Federation (KCAFF) is proud to announce the official formation of three new leagues that will significantly expand the footprint and depth of competitive soccer across the region: the League of Topeka, the Challenger League, and the Wichita Oberliga.

These additions mark a major step forward in KCAFF’s mission to foster community-centered, high-level soccer across Kansas and surrounding areas.

League of Topeka and Wichita Oberliga: New Sister Leagues of the Select League

The League of Topeka and Wichita Oberliga will serve as sister leagues to the established and growing Select League.

• The League of Topeka will be modeled closely after the Select League’s structure, offering a compact but competitive format. While smaller in scale, Topeka’s league is expected to deliver a high standard of play, community support, and player development.

• The Wichita Oberliga, however, will break new ground by adopting a German-style supporter/member-run model, where clubs are managed democratically by their local communities and stakeholders. This unique approach emphasizes grassroots involvement, transparency, and club autonomy.

  
  

Pioneering the Wichita Oberliga is Aaron Howe of Hutchinson, KS, who is spearheading the development of FC Salzstadt. Through close collaboration with Aaron and other regional leaders, KCAFF anticipates a spring 2026 launch for the Wichita Oberliga, bringing a new level of community-powered football to South-Central Kansas.

The Challenger League: Introducing Promotion and Relegation

The Challenger League will serve as Division Two directly beneath the Select League, ushering in a dynamic new era of promotion and relegation.

• Each season, the Challenger League champion will be automatically promoted into the Select League.

• The second and third place finishers will face off in a playoff, with the winner also earning promotion.

• To maintain competitive balance, the bottom two Select League clubs will be relegated into the Challenger League.

This structure raises the stakes for all clubs, rewarding performance and creating a clear pathway for ambitious clubs to rise through the ranks.

Introducing the KCAFF Super League

Top-performing clubs from the Select League, League of Topeka, and Wichita Oberliga will also be invited to compete in the KCAFF Super League, a new in-season tournament showcasing the region’s very best. This competition promises thrilling matchups and an added layer of prestige for clubs striving to prove themselves on a broader stage.

Now Accepting Club Applications

KCAFF is now accepting applications from those interested in joining this next phase of regional soccer growth.

• Challenger League and League of Topeka applicants will be considered for club ownership opportunities.

• Wichita Oberliga applicants should be prepared to operate member-based clubs, contributing to a unique community-driven model.

Ideal candidates will possess:

• Strong soccer knowledge

• Business and organizational savvy

• Excellent communication skills

• A deep passion for the game

• A self-motivated and hardworking mindset

Owning or operating a club is a challenge—but one that offers tremendous personal and community rewards. You get what you put into it.

For those who love the game, this is your chance to be part of something special from the ground up. To learn more or apply, click on the application link in the KCAFF menu or reach out to kcaff.contact@gmail.com.

The future of Kansas soccer starts now. Will you be a part of it?