The NWSL calendar is staying put, as the league announced it will not shift to the previously proposed fall-to-spring schedule anytime soon.
The Board of Governors declined to vote on any significant changes this week, committing to the current spring-to-fall schedule until at least 2030.
"The National Women's Soccer League will continue to operate under its current spring-to-fall schedule through 2028, 2029, and 2030," an NWSL spokesperson told ESPN.
"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."
While US men’s league MLS is shifting next season’s framework to mirror Europe’s transfer market, benefits for the NWSL’s flip appear slim — and faced significant pushback.
The players union publicly opposed the idea after ESPN reported the impending vote, saying necessary league-wide infrastructure to winterize facilities doesn’t yet exist.
"NWSL has made the right decision to provide stability and certainty over the calendar footprint for the next several years," said NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke.
"Throughout this process, Players made clear that any discussion about the calendar must prioritize Player health and safety, infrastructure, and professional standards necessary to compete at the highest level."
"The NWSLPA remains committed to working with NWSL to foster the conditions necessary for its continued growth," she added.
ESPN reported the NWSL board of governors will vote later this month on shifting the league's calendar, looking to flip the current NWSL schedule from spring-to-fall to a European-style fall-to-spring format.
The league currently kicks off in March and ends in November. The new NWSL schedule would start in late summer and conclude in late spring, aligning the league with both European competitions and the MLS, as the US men's league plans to make the transition next year.
The board narrowly voted down a similar proposal in late 2024. However, momentum appears to be building for the change among league executives.
Proponents believe the shift would improve transfer business with European clubs while also allowing the league to operate more easily around FIFA international windows. Commissioner Jessica Berman additionally noted the NWSL coverage would avoid overlapping with MLS and secure better TV slots in late spring.
The NWSL has endured two consecutive midseason breaks for international competitions. Last year, the league paused for the 2025 Euros, while this year's men's World Cup subsequently brings another monthlong pause.
However, players strongly oppose the change. The NWSLPA released a statement saying most players currently reject the calendar flip.
"The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly," the union told ESPN. "Right now, they do not."
The union cited concerns about facility availability and weather-related disruptions across cold-weather markets. Critics also point to potential attendance drops during frigid conditions, with summer heat already creating issues.
The CBA gives the league discretion to make the change. However, the NWSL must provide one year's notice to the NWSLPA.
Even with approval, implementation could take years, with natural transition points including the 2028 LA Olympics and 2031 Women's World Cup.
The NWSL released its full 2025 schedule on Wednesday morning, locking in 190 league contests across all competitions.
The 2025 Challenge Cup will set the stage on Friday, March 7th with a 2024 NWSL Championship rematch between the title-winning Orlando Pride and runners-up Washington Spirit.
One week later, the official 2025 NWSL Kickoff weekend will see all 14 teams in action as the 182-game regular season gets underway. Each club will play a total of 26 regular-season matches, split equally between home and away contests, before the league's eight top teams will battle through seven playoff games in November.
A mid-summer break begins in late June with a CBA-mandated week-off. The pause extends one month through July to allow for international play. That's when certain national team players will compete for their countries in confederation tournaments while clubs will be free to schedule friendlies. No additional NWSL tournaments will occur during that window.
In one minor adjustment from the league's earlier calendar announcement, the 2025 regular season will be played over 26 weeks (rather than 25) to mitigate the need for midweek games.
The shift also accommodates for the return of Decision Day, which is making a comeback for the first time since 2023. In the popular format, all teams will compete simultaneously to close out the regular season on Sunday, November 2nd.
Moves up season excitement
With playoff positioning often coming down to the wire, capping the regular season with a Decision Day can dramatically up the stakes and increase excitement for the impending playoffs.
In another move to capitalize on fandom enthusiasm, the NWSL has added a dedicated rivalry weekend to its 2025 calendar. From August 8th through 10th, old feuds like the Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign's Cascadia Clash will share the spotlight with newer grudges like Angel City and San Diego's SoCal Classic.
How to watch the 2025 NWSL season
Entering the second year of the league's blockbuster broadcast deal, 160 total games will air across Prime Video, ION, ESPN, and CBS platforms this season, with the remaining 30 matches streaming on NWSL+. International distribution is still in negotiations.
Starting the NWSL's 2025 action is the Challenge Cup between Orlando and Washington, which begins at 8 PM ET on Friday, March 7th, streaming live on Prime Video.
Two concurrent matches will kick off the 2025 regular season at 8 PM ET on Friday, March 14th: Houston will face Washington on NWSL+, while Orlando takes on the newly branded Chicago Stars FC on Prime Video.