Most NWSL Players Against…

The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) has indicated that most players are against changing the league’s schedule to a fall-spring format.

According to ESPN, the NWSL’s Board of Governors is set to vote later this month on a proposal to shift the season from its current spring-fall timeline, which starts in February or March and concludes in November, to a schedule that would begin in late summer and end in late spring. Such a change, which Major League Soccer (MLS) will adopt next year, would likely result in more games played in colder weather.

“The NWSLPA has consulted with our Board of Player Representatives and broader membership regarding whether the NWSL should transition to a fall-spring calendar,” the association stated in a release to ESPN. “We are aware of the benefits and drawbacks of each approach and understand that external factors—like the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited access to facilities—are impacting this debate.

“We are, however, concerned that the discussion is revolving around the wrong question. The central issue isn’t whether the calendar should shift, but whether the right conditions are present for a responsible change. At this moment, they are not. Successfully managing weather-related issues requires consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility within clubs, a standard that has yet to be achieved across the league.

“Our foremost priorities in any scenario are the health, safety, and performance of the players. Generally, a majority of players surveyed on this topic currently oppose altering the calendar.”

The league’s board has been discussing a potential season schedule change for at least three years, with a proposal to switch narrowly rejected in late 2024, as reported by ESPN. The debate around this issue remains intense, and sources suggest there may now be enough support within the board to enact the change. A potential vote is anticipated to be closely contested.

According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, “the NWSL retains the discretion to make the format change.”

An NWSL spokesperson stated, “The NWSL has been assessing its competition calendar actively, including the possibility of aligning more closely with the global soccer framework.” They added, “No decision has been reached at this time. Any significant change will be deliberated thoughtfully, and we are seeking input from all key stakeholders.”

The league must notify the NWSLPA at least one year in advance if it plans to switch to a fall-spring format. Following that, the collective bargaining agreement requires the league and union to create a scheduling committee to facilitate NWSLPA input and negotiate any necessary adjustments conflicting with the current CBA.

The NWSL Board of Governors is scheduled to convene later this month, where another vote on this issue might happen.

In November, MLS owners decided to change their calendar to align with European leagues. They will begin this transition by implementing a shortened “sprint season” next spring before fully adopting the new format in 2027-28. MLS seasons will start in July, include a winter break from mid-December to early February, and conclude playoff matches by late May.

Sources have indicated that the MLS Players Association has yet to endorse the league’s proposed change, which they believe requires approval.

Should the NWSL choose to change its schedule, the implementation could take several years.

Natural breaks in the NWSL calendar may provide opportunities for such a transition. For instance, the 2028 Summer Olympics are set to take place in Los Angeles (with soccer competitions across the U.S.), and the 2031 Women’s World Cup is expected to be primarily hosted in the United States, although FIFA has delayed the formal approval of this uncontested bid.

ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.