The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is on the verge of a significant decision regarding its season structure, with the board of directors expected to vote later this month on transitioning from a fall calendar to a spring one, according to multiple sources.
Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. However, after years of debate and a previously rejected proposal, the league is now considering a schedule that would kick off in late summer and conclude in late spring. This strategic shift aims to align the NWSL’s calendar with many of Europe’s leading soccer leagues, as well as to synchronize with Major League Soccer (MLS), which will also shift to a spring season next year.
Ongoing Discussions on Season Change
For at least three years, the NWSL board has been examining potential changes to its season schedule. A similar proposal was narrowly rejected for late 2024, as reported previously by ESPN, highlighting the ongoing contention surrounding this topic within the league.
While another vote is anticipated in the upcoming board meeting, the agenda for these gatherings can change unexpectedly. This was evident in December when the introduction of the new high-impact player rule faced last-minute alterations prior to the vote.
Even if the board approves the calendar shift, the transition might span several years. A spokesperson for the NWSL declined to comment on this development.
In November, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman remarked that the league’s ecosystem is monitoring the potential calendar change closely. She noted the opportunity for reduced scheduling congestion during the summer months, enhancing alignment with MLS, but acknowledged the challenges this may pose, particularly regarding stadium availability.
Potential Benefits and Challenges
Proponents of the calendar change argue that synchronizing with European leagues could foster better transfer opportunities and simplify operations during FIFA’s international windows. Some board members have suggested that moving to a late spring schedule could reduce competition for prime-time television slots, subsequently increasing viewership for NWSL playoffs. Maximizing revenue from upcoming media rights deals has become the board’s main focus, as underscored by multiple sources over the past year, with Berman frequently addressing this issue.
However, critics warn of the potential drawbacks, particularly the risk of scheduling matches in cold weather conditions, which could impact player safety and attendance — both of which saw declines last year. Concerns have also been raised about how colder temperatures could lead to weather delays that further aggravate attendance issues.
The NWSL Board of Directors is set to convene later this month, and if voting occurs, it may mirror the close results seen in previous decisions.
MLS’s Curriculum Shift and Future Prospects
MLS owners voted in November to adopt a European-like calendar, initiating a “sprint season” next spring before fully transitioning by 2027-28. The MLS season will commence in July, include a winter break from mid-December to early February, and conclude with playoffs by late May.
The NWSL could pursue a similar trajectory, but its timeline may differ. The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), ratified in 2024, anticipates these changes by removing restrictions on preseason start dates and mandating a one-year notification to the NWSL Players Association if the league switches to a spring format.
The CBA includes a requirement for the formation of a scheduling committee, integrating NWSLPA input while granting the league the authority to make necessary format changes. Transitioning to a spring calendar will necessitate a designated hiatus period, especially with upcoming events like the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which will feature soccer competitions nationwide, and the 2031 Women’s World Cup, pending formal approval from FIFA.
Industry Support for Calendar Realignment
Many sports executives within the NWSL advocate for the calendar shift, emphasizing its potential to synchronize contract cycles with Europe, where agreements typically expire in the summer. This alignment could facilitate player transfers, a longstanding concern among executives.
In ESPN’s first anonymous general manager survey of 2024, one GM highlighted the calendar debate as “the biggest issue facing the league.” Transitioning to a summer offseason would also help mitigate conflicts with international tournaments, which have historically impacted the NWSL, as evidenced by the five-week hiatus taken in preparation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
With major international tournaments frequently scheduled over three out of four summers, aligning the NWSL schedule could alleviate these recurrent challenges. The current overlapping of NWSL and MLS operational seasons has prevailed since their respective inceptions in 1996 and 2013, both starting in early spring and concluding by year’s end.
The launch of the USL Super League in 2024, which is also recognized as a U.S. Women’s First Division League, has adopted a fall-to-spring schedule, further emphasizing the potential benefits of this calendar shift for the NWSL.
