The National Women’s Soccer League will begin its 2025 free agency period under its collective bargaining agreement with the NWSL Players Association at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, September 1, 2024. For all future free agency periods, the window will open six months prior to the expiration of NWSL Standard Player Agreements consistent with FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
This allows eligible free agents to begin negotiations for their 2025 Standard Player Agreements. Here’s what it means:
What is free agency?
Free agency is the ability of professional team athletes to change teams when their contracts expire. Rather than having their playing rights held by their current team at the expiration of their Standard Player Agreement, players can entertain offers from the teams interested in signing them and choose from the available choices.
So what does this mean?
At the opening of the free agency window, teams may negotiate contract terms with any free agent. A player or player agent may also solicit discussion. If a player does not receive a new offer, the player remains a free agent with their rights unassigned in the NWSL.
Who is eligible?
All players with contracts ending December 31, 2024.
Additional players who have a unilateral or mutual option for the 2025 season with their current club will be added to the free agency list on Friday, August 30, following the deadline to exercise those options.
What are the key dates?
August 26, 2024: Initial list of 2025 free agents is released
August 30, 2024: Free agent list is updated with players whose options were not unilaterally or mutually exercised and who are therefore free agent-eligible
September 1, 2024: Players who are eligible free agents for the next league season (2025 free agents) may begin negotiating a new SPA (Standard Player Agreement)
A player may agree to terms with their current team, or a new team, at any time.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
In all cases, a player’s current team is responsible for the player’s SPA through the end of the calendar year.
A list of 2025 free agents is available here.
