We’re 10 weeks into the 2026 free agency period, and all 15 players that are signed for 2026 have stayed with the team that they are currently playing on. Meanwhile, there are 120 players available in free agency, and one player has already announced their retirement from the NWSL—but not from playing elsewhere. 

NWSL Free Agency Tracker

 

Of the 12 teams, Seattle has led the way in re-signing their free agents with three, while Angel City, Houston, San Diego, and Washington don’t have any yet. Looking at the free agency trends, last season’s free agency started during the season, but by week 9 already had 25 players re-signed to their current team. 

Previous iterations of free agency saw an initial year of mostly players staying with their current team, to 2024 free agency that had players moving and staying evenly, to 2025 where there was an even harder swing to players staying with their current teams. 

Considering the first five months of 2026 free agency are during the 2025 season, it is unlikely that we will see any players signing with different teams for the upcoming season until the current one concludes. 


*Not including players on loan through June 2026

Looking at teams’ current roster situation for 2026, Washington leads the way with 25 players signed, while the average number of players for non-expansion sides is 19-ish players. Boston Legacy has a head start on their expansion counterpart Denver with seven players to Denver’s two.  


*Not including players on loan through June 2026

The other thing to consider for 2026 rosters is the international spots. Washington again leads the way with -3 international spots, which they’ll have to figure out what to do about before the roster compliance date in pre-season. Portland is the other club without any unutilized slots, while Racing leads the way in non-expansion clubs unused spots.