The NWSL will retain its current spring-to-fall calendar through at least the 2030 season following discussions among ownership about moving to a fall-to-spring schedule that would align with European leagues, FIFA’s international match calendar and, beginning next season, MLS. The league, however, did not close the door on a future switch.
“Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period,” the league said in a statement. “This decision reflects our confidence in the strong momentum and growth the league has achieved under its current structure, and our commitment to providing stability for everyone invested in the NWSL’s success.”
The league added: “We remain thoughtful about the long-term evaluation of our calendar -- and will continue to assess future opportunities with the same rigor and broad stakeholder alignment that guided this decision. Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice.”
ESPN had recently reported that NWSL owners were expected to vote on a calendar change at board meetings this week in Portland. On Monday, however, CBS Sports reported that the board no longer intended to hold such a vote.
The NWSL has been evaluating a potential move to the European calendar for several years, but discussions intensified after MLS decided last year that it would adopt a summer-to-spring schedule beginning in July 2027.
MLS’s move will directly impact NWSL clubs, some of which share stadiums with MLS teams either as tenants or under shared ownership. Some MLS teams hope to hold more non-soccer events at their stadiums during the summer after the switch, which has the potential to limit available dates for the NWSL.
Like MLS, the NWSL would have to consider the feasibility of training and playing in winter months given that many of its teams play in cold-weather markets. MLS is implementing a winter break from mid-December through early February to avoid the coldest months but will still play more matches in November, December and February following the switch.
Other considerations would include the impact of aligning transfer windows with European leagues and whether moving its playoffs to the spring would increase visibility.
The NWSL Players Association commended the league for declaring its intent to keep its current calendar for the next several years.
“NWSL has made the right decision to provide stability and certainty over the calendar footprint for the next several years,” the union said in a statement. “Throughout this process, players made clear that any discussion about the calendar must prioritize Player health and safety, infrastructure (including training and match facilities) and professional standards necessary to compete at the highest level.”
