Sports
WXV Global Series will be like 'mini-World Cup'
BBC Sport
Soccer
NWSL commits to spring-to-fall calendar through 2030, delaying decision on potential calendar flip
TL;DR
The NWSL will maintain its spring-to-fall calendar through the 2030 season, delaying any decision on a potential switch to a fall-to-spring schedule. A formal vote on the calendar change is unlikely to happen soon.
Key points
- NWSL will keep spring-to-fall calendar through 2030
- Decision on calendar change delayed until at least 2031
- Formal vote on fall-to-spring schedule unlikely soon
- Maintaining current schedule supports league's growth
- Decision aims to provide stability for stakeholders
Getty Images
The NWSL will stick with its spring-to-fall calendar through the 2030 season, affording itself a longer runway to contemplate the schedule change despite coming close to making a concrete decision this week.
A switch to a fall-to-spring schedule was reportedly on the agenda for this week's board of governors meetings in Portland, Ore. at some point but CBS Sports reported on Monday that a formal vote on the topic was unlikely to take place. While a vote could still take place in the near future, the NWSL confirmed Wednesday that a potential calendar flip would not take place until 2031 at the earliest.
"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.
"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. For now, our focus is on continuing to deliver a world-class season as we build toward the future."
The switch to a fall-to-spring calendar, which is the standard across Europe and elsewhere, would require a supermajority and though the NWSL may not currently have that, it remains a fervent topic of conversation. Public debate has ramped up in recent months over a calendar flip and commissioner Jessica Berman has openly admitted that it is a topic that the league is actively exploring, though it seems as if there is no prevailing sentiment amongst the members of the board at this time.
The NWSL Players Association has voiced skepticism about the measure in the past, though, revealing earlier this month that a majority of the players do not currently support the calendar flip. The chief concern seems to be around facilities, especially in colder markets like New York, Boston and Denver, especially in a league where only a handful of teams own their own training grounds and changes would be required to support wintertime play.
Q&A
Why is the NWSL sticking to a spring-to-fall calendar until 2030?
The NWSL decided to keep the spring-to-fall calendar to ensure stability and support the league's growth, following extensive evaluations and stakeholder collaboration.
When could the NWSL potentially switch to a fall-to-spring schedule?
The NWSL confirmed that a switch to a fall-to-spring schedule would not occur until at least 2031.
What was discussed at the NWSL board of governors meetings regarding the calendar?
The board of governors meetings in Portland included discussions about a potential calendar change, but a formal vote on the topic was deemed unlikely.
How does the NWSL's decision impact its stakeholders?
The decision to maintain the current schedule is intended to provide stability for players, teams, and fans, reflecting the league's confidence in its ongoing growth.
