⚽ Quick answer
Emergency Refs places USSF-certified soccer officials across Nassau and Suffolk County — a single center referee for small-sided youth games, a 3-person AR crew for competitive travel and adult leagues, and tournament crews for weekend events. We aim for 12 hours notice and regularly confirm same-day. Submit a request at EmergencyRefs.com.
Long Island has one of the most active soccer communities in New York. Thousands of youth travel and recreational soccer games take place every weekend across both counties — and one of the most common crises a league coordinator faces is a referee who doesn't show up. Emergency Refs was built specifically for this.
USSF-Certified Soccer Referees on Long Island
Every soccer official in our network holds active USSF (United States Soccer Federation) certification. Depending on the level of play, we can provide:
- A single center referee for small-sided youth games (U8–U12)
- A 3-person crew (1 center + 2 assistant referees) for competitive youth and adult leagues
- Tournament crews for single-day or multi-day events
⚽ Most common request we get
"Our ref cancelled 2 hours before kickoff — can you help?" Yes. That's exactly what we do. Submit a request and we respond immediately to confirm availability.
Soccer Leagues & Organizations We Serve
- LIJSL (Long Island Junior Soccer League) affiliated clubs
- ENYYSA and NYCSL travel leagues
- Parks & Recreation youth soccer programs
- Adult recreational leagues (co-ed, men's, women's)
- Indoor soccer facilities and futsal leagues
- Church, school, and community organization leagues
- Private tournament organizers
Coverage Across Nassau and Suffolk County
We have soccer officials available in every part of Long Island — from Elmont and Valley Stream in western Nassau all the way to Riverhead and Southampton in eastern Suffolk. Popular game locations we cover include:
- Mitchel Athletic Complex, East Meadow
- Bethpage State Park fields
- Dix Hills Sports Complex
- Belmont Lake fields, Babylon
- Town parks across Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, and Brookhaven
- Nassau County parks — Eisenhower, Cantiague, Christopher Morley
Curious why soccer says "referee" while baseball says "umpire" and field hockey says "umpire" too? See our guide to referee vs. umpire: what's the difference — useful if your organization staffs more than one sport and wants the terminology (and certifications) straight.
What Does a Soccer Referee Cost on Long Island?
U8–U14 recreational games typically run $50–$75 for a single center referee. U15–U18 and travel games staffed with a 3-person AR crew run $65–$90 per official — budget per official, not per game, since you're paying the center and both assistants separately. Tournament and showcase play is generally quoted on an event-day basis rather than per game. Full cross-sport detail, including how weekend tournaments get priced, is in our Long Island referee cost guide.
When to Call an Emergency Soccer Referee Service
- Your assigned referee no-showed or called out sick
- You're organizing a tournament and need backup officials on standby
- Your league is short on refs for the season and needs fill-ins
- A makeup game was scheduled on short notice
- You have a new team added to the schedule that needs officiating
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your soccer referees work youth games?
Yes — the majority of our requests are for youth games, from U8 recreational through U19 travel. All refs are vetted and background-checked.
Can you provide an AR crew, not just a center referee?
Yes. When requesting, specify if you need a 3-person crew. We'll do our best to accommodate — availability of full crews on short notice may vary.
How far in advance do I need to request?
We aim for 12 hours notice but can often cover same-day requests. Don't wait — reach out as soon as you know you need coverage.
Do you cover indoor soccer?
Yes, we have officials comfortable with both outdoor and indoor/futsal rules.
What does a soccer referee cost on Long Island?
U8–U14 recreational games typically run $50–$75 for a single center referee. U15–U18 and travel games using a 3-person crew run $65–$90 per official. Tournament and showcase play is generally quoted per event rather than per game.
Need a Soccer Ref on Long Island?
Submit a request — we'll confirm a certified USSF official for your game immediately.
Request a Soccer Referee →