NWSL delays potential calendar overhaul after backlash

Jason Sargent Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYWed, April 29, 2026 at 5:07 PM UTC

The NWSL will not be changing from its current spring-to-fall schedule — at least for now.

The league announced on Wednesday, April 29 that it will continue with its current format through the 2030 season.

The announcement came amid speculation that the NWSL was considering a change to a fall-to-spring calendar, putting it in line with the biggest European leagues.

Multiple reports stated that the league would hold a vote on the change at its board of governors meeting this week, but that vote was ultimately scrapped.

"The National Women's Soccer League will continue to operate under its current spring-to-fall schedule through 2028, 2029, and 2030," the league said in a statement.

"Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period. 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."

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There was significant pushback to the idea, which would have seen the NWSL follow MLS in making the shift.

The NWSL Players Association released a statement earlier this month opposing the calendar change, citing the lack of infrastructure to play through cold-weather months as well as the lack of control most teams have over the stadiums in which they play.

"The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not," the NWSLPA said.

"The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.

"Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar."

ESPN reported that league owners also had several doubts about whether the time was right for a calendar change.

Playing through the winter would mean more investment in ensuring players had facilities to train indoors, as well as undersoil heating for outdoor facilities. There was also concern about the effect that cold weather could have on attendance.

The NWSL added in its statement that a calendar change was still a possibility in the future.

"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," the league said.

"Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice. For now, our focus is on continuing to deliver a world-class season as we build toward the future."