The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is preparing for a significant schedule adjustment ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with plans to commence the next season as early as February. According to The Athletic, this move would advance the league’s calendar by an entire month compared to previous years.
Under the proposed timetable, preseason activities would begin in January, followed by the regular season kickoff on February 11th. The season would then extend through the playoffs, concluding in late November, marking the earliest start in the league’s history.
This earlier launch is designed to accommodate an extended midseason break, necessitated by the World Cup schedule. The 2027 tournament is set to take place from June 24th to July 25th, requiring the NWSL—one of the few professional leagues operating on a spring-to-fall calendar—to pause its campaign during this time.
Adjusting the Calendar Around Global Tournaments
In recent years, the NWSL has made notable adjustments to its schedule to align with major international competitions. The league paused regular-season play for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Championship, and the 2026 Men’s World Cup. These interruptions reflect the league’s ongoing effort to balance domestic play with the international soccer calendar.
Despite these changes, the NWSL has opted not to transition to a fall-to-spring season format before 2030. This decision comes ahead of the anticipated 2031 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. For now, the league continues to adapt its calendar within the spring-to-fall structure to accommodate global events.