What DeKalb County United does

DeKalb County United (DKCU) is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit community soccer club founded in 2017 and debuting in competitive play in 2018, headquartered in DeKalb County, Illinois. It operates semi-professional men's and women's teams competing in the Midwest Premier League (MWPL), the Great Central Soccer League (GCSL), the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL), and United Women's Soccer (UWS), and plays home matches at NIU Soccer Stadium. The club serves local players, fans, and youth participants, with the DKCU Academy (established 2022 through partnerships with KVSC and NIFC) providing a youth-to-senior development pipeline. The women's program has won the IWSL U23 Championship in 2021 and 2024 and the Illinois State Cup in 2022 and 2024, establishing competitive credibility in the regional amateur landscape.

The club's product surface comprises match-day experiences, a youth academy, and ancillary merchandise, built on a standard third-party technology stack including Wix (website), Shopify (merchandise), and Fan Base (ticketing and membership). No proprietary technology, data assets, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed. Operations are volunteer-driven under President John Hall, with leadership including Mike Gecan (2022), and the club fields approximately 100 players across multiple teams alongside roughly 465 season ticket holders and fan group members (including the Local 815 supporter group).

Revenue is generated through ticket sales, merchandise, memberships, community fundraising, and sponsorship. The sponsorship portfolio for 2026 includes Culver's of Sycamore as front-of-jersey partner, with additional partners Source One Mortgage, Bosma Dental, Northern Rehab, LaFox Screw Products, ServiceMaster by Skip, Lehan Drugs, and The Forge Brewhouse — all local DeKalb County-area businesses. The cumulative patronage of local small and mid-sized businesses reflects a community-embedded sponsorship model rather than corporate sponsorship at scale.

Name

DeKalb County United

Legal name

DeKalb County United

Website

https://dkcunited.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DeKalb County United is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit community soccer club in DeKalb County, Illinois, operating semi-professional men's and women's teams and a youth academy, serving local players, fans, and small-business sponsors since its 2018 debut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semi-Professional Soccer Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (7112), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Association Football (Soccer) Leagues (MPAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE), Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

Keywords

• Semi-professional soccer
• Community soccer club
• Youth soccer academy
• Sports entertainment
• Soccer club operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Sycamore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from matchday tickets sold online via Fan Base app ($7 advance, $10 gate) and season tickets. Adults pay $7 online/$10 gate; children wearing DKCU jerseys admitted free with paying adult.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sales of scarves ($20), shirts ($15), koozies ($5), rubber cups ($10) through online Shopify store and game day merchandise stand.
3. Sponsorships: Club sponsors include front-of-jersey sponsor (Culver's of Sycamore), training gear sponsors, field-side banner sponsors, and digital/platform sponsors. Sponsors receive logo placement on official training gear and banners.
4. Membership Fees: Annual memberships sold to fans providing voice within the club and exclusive engagement opportunities.
5. Community Fundraising: Virtual 5K races and other non-event community activities raising funds for local organizations like Voluntary Action Center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DeKalb County United operates semi-professional men's and women's soccer teams competing in regional leagues (MWPL, GCSL, IWSL, UWS), delivers a youth-to-adult player pathway through the DKCU Academy, and sells matchday tickets, branded merchandise, and annual fan memberships. The club provides community-driven soccer entertainment at NIU Soccer Stadium with affordable family-friendly pricing, concessions, and live streaming.

Product overview

DeKalb County United operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) semi-professional soccer organization offering multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include the Men's Soccer Program (competing in MWPL and GCSL with a unified 'one team, two leagues' approach) and Women's Soccer Program (with First Team in UWS and Reserve in IWSL). The DKCU Academy, launched in 2022 in partnership with NIFC and KVSC, provides youth development with a clear pathway to the adult programs. Supporting offerings include an online Merchandise Store on Shopify, podcasts ('Build It' and '815 Corner'), a Club Start-Up Pack for community soccer club formation, matchday experiences at NIU Soccer Stadium, and a mobile app for ticketing and merchandise. The portfolio works together to unite the DeKalb County community through soccer from youth to adult levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DKCU Academy: Youth soccer academy created in 2022 through partnership with KVSC and NIFC, providing youth player development and a pathway to the adult club programs.
• Build It Podcast
• 815 Corner Podcast

Products and services

• DKCU Men's Soccer Program Adult men's semi-professional soccer team competing in the Midwest Premier League (MWPL) and Greater Chicago Soccer League (GCSL), using an 'one team, two leagues' unified squad approach. Open to community players and college talent.
• DKCU Women's Soccer Program Women's semi-professional soccer program featuring a First Team competing in United Women's Soccer (UWS) and a Reserve/U23 team in the Illinois Women's Soccer League (IWSL). Includes IWSL U23 Championship titles in 2021 and 2024 and Illinois State Cup titles in 2022 and 2024.
• DKCU Academy Youth soccer academy providing top-class coaching, training, and a clear development pathway from youth soccer to the highest levels of adult play. Formed in partnership with NIFC and KVSC.
• DKCU Merchandise Store Online merchandise storefront selling branded clothing and accessories including '815 Brewnited' t-shirts, 'For Club And County' tees, scarves, koozies, and rubber cups. Operated on Shopify.
• Club Start-Up Pack Information and document pack for individuals looking to start their own not-for-profit community soccer club, covering business plans, organizational structure, legal requirements, and league information. Sold for $50 (sale price from $99).
• Matchday Experience Matchday offering at NIU Soccer Stadium including tickets ($7 advance/$10 gate), concessions with exclusive DKCU beers (815 Brewnited and Pure Goaled), merchandise sales, free parking, and live YouTube streaming with play-by-play commentary by Brien Martin.
• DKCU Mobile App Free mobile application for purchasing tickets and merchandise and staying updated with club news. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, powered by Fanbase.
• DKCU Podcasts (Build It & 815 Corner) Podcast series including 'Build It' (non-league US soccer discussions, part of the Alliance podcast network) and '815 Corner' (covering local high school, college, MWPL, and broader US soccer topics).

Quantifiable outcome

• 2x IWSL U23 Championship titles (2021, 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Culver's of SycamoreflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Primary front-of-jersey sponsor for 2026 season. Amanda Corona and team at Sycamore location described as building 'community hub where local families gather.' Partnership includes logo on team jerseys and local brand alignment.
• Source One MortgagecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Returning club sponsor for 2026 season. Local lender with deep ties to DeKalb and Sycamore, providing 'service-first' home financing philosophy. Logo on matchday materials.
• Bosma DentalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Long-term sponsor since 2019-2020. Drs. Kellen and Ramona Bosma described as 'cornerstone of community-first mission.' Logo on training gear and field-side banner.
• Northern Rehab Physical Therapy SpecialistscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Returning sponsor for 2026 season. Title sponsor for Banner, Starting Lineup, and Player Announcements. 'Physician-preferred' independent practice with several clinics across region.
• LaFox Screw ProductscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Precision manufacturing company and new 2026 sponsor. Based in Northern Illinois, representing 'industrious spirit of DeKalb County.' Featured on digital platforms and matchday banners.
• ServiceMaster by SkipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Returning sponsor for 2026. Led by Robert 'Skip' Schramer, DeKalb County staple and Kiwanis member since 2006. Restoration company focused on community service and local families.
• Lehan DrugscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Returning sponsor for 2026 season. Long-standing part of everyday life in DeKalb County, serving families with care and consistency. Logo on field-side banner and final score graphics.
• Kishwaukee Valley Soccer Club (KVSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2022Youth academy partnership creating DKCU Academy to provide access to top-class coaching and facilities for youth players across DeKalb County. Partnership combines KVSC and NIFC youth clubs under DKCU umbrella with clear pathway to adult semi-pro programs. Mike Wittrup of KVSC cited the partnership as bringing 'new level of professionalism, player development, and competitive playing opportunities.'
• Northern Illinois Football Club (NIFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2022Youth academy partnership creating DKCU Academy. Dan Carl of NIFC expressed excitement about aligning to provide 'more comprehensive program for youth of our community.' Combined with KVSC, the partnership creates unified pathway from youth to adult soccer in DeKalb County.
• Action Consulting and Therapy, LLC (ACT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2021Mental health partnership providing services for DKCU players and staff. Aligns with club's community-first mission and athlete wellness advocacy, including special guest Kylie Ryder promoting athlete mental health at women's home opener.
• Fan BasecoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial ticketing partner providing app platform for advance ticket sales, season tickets, group bookings, and match day operations. DKCU praised Fan Base for making fan data 'easily accessible' for marketing analysis and engagement.
• Voluntary Action Center DeKalbminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership co-promoting virtual 5K race that raised over $2,600 for local community services. DKCU described VAC as organization that 'provides a ton of services to our community.'
• The Forge BrewhouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on 'Brewnited 815' beer launch leading to exclusive DKCU merchandise (t-shirts) and concessions partnership. Beer available at stadium concessions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Chattanooga FC: Community-governed semi-professional soccer club with strong supporter culture and a pathway through the U.S. lower divisions. Shares the same community-first, non-traditional ownership positioning as DKCU.
• Detroit City FC: Community-owned, supporter-driven soccer club competing in the lower divisions of the U.S. soccer pyramid. Highly comparable to DKCU in ethos, fan-first identity, and community-led growth model, though at a larger scale.
• Forward Madison FC: Midwest-based, community-centered soccer club competing in USL League One. Comparable to DKCU in regional Midwest positioning, brand-led community engagement, and lower-division pyramid participation.
• Bavarian United SC: Wisconsin-based semi-professional soccer club competing in the MWPL and USL League Two. Direct geographical and competitive peer to DKCU within the same regional league structure.
• Chicago House AC: Independently owned, community-driven soccer club in Illinois competing in the Midwest Premier League. Direct competitor in the same league and regional ecosystem as DKCU.
• Oakland Roots SC: Community-owned, mission-driven soccer club competing in the USL Championship. Shares DKCU's community-first identity and intentionally non-corporate brand positioning, though at a larger professional scale.
• Kalamazoo FC: Midwest-based semi-professional soccer club competing in similar lower-division leagues. Comparable in scale, regional Midwest footprint, and community/ticket-driven business model.
• Des Moines Menace: Long-running upper Midwest semi-professional soccer club with strong youth development programs. Very directly comparable to DKCU in regional footprint, semi-pro competition level, and youth-to-adult pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• Louisville City FC: Established USL Championship club with similar community-oriented positioning and Midwest/South operations. Operates at a larger scale and professional tier but provides a comparable blueprint for what DKCU could grow into.

Others

• USL League Two: The league infrastructure in which many comparable semi-professional clubs (including prior DKCU history) compete. Useful as an ecosystem reference for the broader competitive structure surrounding DKCU's operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wix
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dkcu
• Facebookfacebook.com/DKCUofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dkcunited
• Instagraminstagram.com/dekalbcountyunited
• TikToktiktok.com/@dkcunited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DeKalb County United