What is the PSRA?

The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) is an association of soccer Officials who service the professional game across North America. It was formed in 2009 by the collection of professional referees who, in order to continue thriving within the professional game, needed to have a voice with the organizations they worked for.

PSRA works for you - the Officials. We are governed by Officials, and work on behalf of Officials to improve standards across every league - game fees, travel standards, referee safety, and a professional working environment are a few of the areas we continue to improve through our collective voice.

Membership is open to anyone who is currently involved in any of the professional soccer leagues, aspires to be, or has since retired from professional refereeing.

In addition, PSRA is the certified labor union representing Officials employed by PRO as a Senior Match Official or in PRO2. PSRA officials referee matches in Major League Soccer (MLS), National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), United Soccer Leagues (USL), MLSNextPro, and other professional soccer leagues within Canada and the United States.

What does the PSRA do?

Representation: We offer representation and support, and members have the most experienced soccer minds in North America at their disposal. For example, when you need help following a match (major misconduct, disciplinary issues, etc.), we are here to help guide you through that process.

Collective Bargaining Power: The collective bargaining power of the PSRA has been shown through the substantial CBAs that we have been able to achieve with PRO in 2014 and 2019, and with PRO2 in 2023. These have a trickle-down effect that “raises the tides” for everyone. The game fees and other working conditions we have secured through the bargaining process are improvements for all Officials working those leagues.

Advocacy: The PSRA advocates for policies and conditions that benefit all referees, contributing to better working conditions, improved compensation, and enhanced referee protections in professional soccer.

Our Community: Being part of the PSRA fosters a sense of community and solidarity among referees, providing networking opportunities and connections within the soccer officiating community.

Our History

In 2009, as it became necessary to have an organization that represented the Officials and their careers, those Officials working in Major League Soccer formed the PSRA.

In 2013, the PSRA became the certified labor union for Officials in Major League Soccer - the first soccer officials Union in US history - and completed our first Collective Bargaining Agreement ahead of the 2014 season.

In 2021, the PSRA completed the unionization process and became the certified labor union for the professional Officials employed by PRO who work in NWSL, USL, and MLS Next Pro. Our first Collective Bargaining Agreement for those Officials was completed in April 2023.