All 16 NWSL teams have kicked off their 2026 preseasons, and the 2026 free agents have been able to negotiate and sign with clubs well over 7 months ago. Since the free agency period opened up, 78 players have signed with teams within the league, 12 players have retired, 26 players have signed with clubs outside of the NWSL, 18 players have had no announcements, and 2 are unsigned but Non-Roster Invitees for preseason. 

Overall Trends

Compared to the December Free Agency Update, all 16 teams now have signed free agents—up from 13. Four clubs—Kansas City, Gotham, Portland, and Washington—have only re-signed free agents whereas the other 12 clubs have been active in signing new free agents to their clubs. 

As we head further into the free agency period and closer to the season start, there has been a significant increase in the rate of one-year free agency signings compared to other contract lengths. Last check-in, there were more 3-year long contracts than any other length.

In the last two months there has also been a big swing in the positions of the free agents signing contracts with the most coming from the forward position. Almost all of the goalkeepers entering free agency have signed with a new club inside of the NWSL, compared to the sub-60% rates that forwards and midfielders are currently showing. 

Keep up with all the free agency movement here

Previous Seasons

Although early free agency periods had different rules around eligibility and unrestricted v restricted, it is interesting to look at overall trends of movement across the iterations of free agency. Year one in 2023 showed a majority of players staying with their originating club followed by a year two that saw similar numbers stay with the same clubs as did go to a new club.  

The new CBA in late 2024 led to an increase in the number of free agents (no more restricted free agents or teams retaining player rights) and with that, the pendulum swung back towards players staying with their current squads and it had an increase in players leaving the NWSL completely. 

The current free agency period has had a swing back in the 2024 direction, with a decrease in the number of players signing with their originating club and an increase in players signing for new clubs. Interestingly enough, this 2026 free agency period also has shown a decrease in the number of ‘Not Signed’ free agents. 

Something that may come into play in the 2027 free agency period will be the future of the high-impact player designation and how that is/is not utilized for top players while the global market continues to make the NWSL’s current salary cap a limiter in talent acquisition.