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NWSL delays potential calendar overhaul after backlash
TL;DR
The NWSL will maintain its spring-to-fall schedule through the 2030 season, following backlash against a proposed calendar change. A planned vote on the shift to a fall-to-spring format was canceled.
Key points
- NWSL will keep its spring-to-fall schedule through 2030
- Proposed calendar change faced backlash
- Vote on schedule change was canceled
- Current format will remain until at least 2030
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."
April 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.
April 25: Boston Legacy FC's Josefine Hasbo (5) defends against Chicago Stars FC's Jordyn Huitema during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars won the game, 2-0.
April 24: Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a corner kick allowing the Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman to score a goal during the first half at Audi Field. The Washington Spirit won the game, 4-0.
April 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball against Bay FC during the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit won the game, 2-0.
March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC's Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.
March 25: The Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
March 22: San Diego Wave FC's Laurina Fazer (left) and the Utah Royals' Cece Delzer battle for possession during the first half at America First Field. The San Diego Wave won the game, 2-1.
March 21: The North Carolina Courage's Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC's Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.
March 14: North Carolina Courage fans hold yellow and red cards during second half against the Racing Louisville FC at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina won the match, 2-1.
March 14: A Volaris airplane flies over the stadium during the Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC game at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Bay FC won the match, 2-1, in what was the first-ever game for the Denver Summit.
March 14: Utah Royals midfielder Janni Thomsen (7) dribbles up field against the Kansas City Current during the second half at CPKC Stadium. Kansas City won the match, 2-1.
March 14: Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Caño (26) and NY/NJ Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (10) battle for the ball during the first half of the game at Gillette Stadium. Gotham FC won the match - the first in Boston Legacy FC history - 1-0.
March 13: The Washington Spirit get ready for a corner kick during the second half against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field. Portland won the NWSL 2026 season opener, 1-0.
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.
1 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: The Houston Dash's Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage's Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.
2 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: Boston Legacy FC's Josefine Hasbo (5) defends against Chicago Stars FC's Jordyn Huitema during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars won the game, 2-0.
3 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 24: Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a corner kick allowing the Washington Spirit's Trinity Rodman to score a goal during the first half at Audi Field. The Washington Spirit won the game, 4-0.
4 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball against Bay FC during the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit won the game, 2-0.
5 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC's Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.
6 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: The Washington Spirit's Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
7 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego Wave FC's Laurina Fazer (left) and the Utah Royals' Cece Delzer battle for possession during the first half at America First Field. The San Diego Wave won the game, 2-1.
8 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: The North Carolina Courage's Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC's Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
9 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.
10 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: North Carolina Courage fans hold yellow and red cards during second half against the Racing Louisville FC at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina won the match, 2-1.
11 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: A Volaris airplane flies over the stadium during the Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC game at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Bay FC won the match, 2-1, in what was the first-ever game for the Denver Summit.
12 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Utah Royals midfielder Janni Thomsen (7) dribbles up field against the Kansas City Current during the second half at CPKC Stadium. Kansas City won the match, 2-1.
13 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Caño (26) and NY/NJ Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (10) battle for the ball during the first half of the game at Gillette Stadium. Gotham FC won the match - the first in Boston Legacy FC history - 1-0.
14 / 14
NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 13: The Washington Spirit get ready for a corner kick during the second half against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field. Portland won the NWSL 2026 season opener, 1-0.
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."
2025: Gotham FC (defeated Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Championship game)
2025: Washington Spirit (Challenge Cup winner)
2024: Orlando Pride (defeated Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Championship game)
2023: NJ/NY Gotham FC (defeated OL Reign in the championship game)
2023: North Carolina Courage (Challenge Cup winner)
2022: Portland Thorns FC (defeated Kansas City Current in the championship game)
2022: North Carolina Courage (Challenge Cup winner)
2021: Washington Spirit (defeated Chicago Red Stars in the championship game)
2021; Portland Thorns FC (Challenge Cup winner)
2020: Houston Dash (Challenge Cup winner)
2019: North Carolina Courage (defeated Chicago Red Stars in the championship game)
2018: North Carolina Courage (defeated Portland Thorns FC in the championship game)
2016: Western New York Flash (defeated Washington Spirit in the championship game)
2015: FC Kansas City (defeated Seattle Reign FC in the championship game)
2014: FC Kansas City (defeated Seattle Reign FC in the championship game)
2013: Portland Thorns FC (defeated Western New York Flash in the championship game)
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NWSL champions through the years
2025: Gotham FC (defeated Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Championship game)
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NWSL champions through the years
2025: Gotham FC (defeated Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Championship game)
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NWSL champions through the years
2025: Washington Spirit (Challenge Cup winner)
3 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2024: Orlando Pride (defeated Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Championship game)
4 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2023: NJ/NY Gotham FC (defeated OL Reign in the championship game)
5 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2023: North Carolina Courage (Challenge Cup winner)
6 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2022: Portland Thorns FC (defeated Kansas City Current in the championship game)
7 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2022: North Carolina Courage (Challenge Cup winner)
8 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2021: Washington Spirit (defeated Chicago Red Stars in the championship game)
9 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2021; Portland Thorns FC (Challenge Cup winner)
10 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2020: Houston Dash (Challenge Cup winner)
11 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2019: North Carolina Courage (defeated Chicago Red Stars in the championship game)
12 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2018: North Carolina Courage (defeated Portland Thorns FC in the championship game)
13 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2016: Western New York Flash (defeated Washington Spirit in the championship game)
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NWSL champions through the years
2015: FC Kansas City (defeated Seattle Reign FC in the championship game)
15 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2014: FC Kansas City (defeated Seattle Reign FC in the championship game)
16 / 16
NWSL champions through the years
2013: Portland Thorns FC (defeated Western New York Flash in the championship game)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL news: Dramatic calendar change won't happen until 2031 at least
Q&A
Why did the NWSL decide not to change its schedule?
The NWSL opted to keep its spring-to-fall schedule due to backlash against the proposed fall-to-spring calendar change.
What is the current schedule of the NWSL?
The NWSL currently operates on a spring-to-fall schedule, which will continue through the 2030 season.
When was the NWSL's decision to maintain its schedule announced?
The decision to maintain the current schedule was announced on April 29.
What was the proposed change to the NWSL's calendar?
The proposed change was to shift the NWSL's schedule from spring-to-fall to a fall-to-spring format, aligning it with major European leagues.
