The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced its competition framework for the 2027 season, highlighted by the earliest start in league history. The regular season will kick off Feb. 11 at BMO Stadium, with the schedule constructed to accommodate the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
It's here. The 2026 summer transfer window has arrived and it promises to be an extremely eventful one in the women's game, with several huge stars on the move. Alexia Putellas, Georgia Stanway and Sam Kerr are just some of those who have already completed summer transfers, with there plenty of rumours and reports of more to come and some surprises sure to be sprung, too.
The NWSL is reportedly planning to begin its 2027 season on Feb. 11, the earliest opening day in league history, before pausing for the World Cup in Brazil, according to The Athletic. Teams would begin preseason in January, while the playoffs and championship would remain in November, with the altered calendar designed to accommodate the June 24-July 25 tournament in South America.
Sam Kerr scores her first Gotham FC goal as the Bats draw Portland Thorns FC 2-2, while Sofia Cantore lifts Washington Spirit past Lindsey Heaps and Denver Summit FC 1-0. GOAL ranks all 16 NWSL teams in this week’s Power Rankings.
Sam Kerr has officially announced her return to the United States in the most emphatic fashion possible, ending a nearly seven-year wait to get back on an NWSL scoresheet. The former Chelsea superstar proved she hasn't lost her clinical edge, rescuing a vital point for Gotham FC in a pulsating 2-2 draw against the Portland Thorns.
What an explosive women's transfer window it has been so far! Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Sam Kerr, Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps are just some of those who have been on the move in the first few weeks, but while a lot of business has already been done, there are still several big names worth keeping an eye on before windows start to slam shut in September.
U.S. Women's National Team captain Lindsey Heaps is eligible to make her long-awaited debut for the Denver Summit against the Portland Thorns at Centennial Stadium - which is less than 35 miles away from her hometown, Golden, Colo. Heaps, 32, signed a pre-contract with the first-year club prior to the NWSL season, after starring with French giants OL Lyonnes for the past four years.
It’s fair to say that Keira Barry’s first senior England call-up was unexpected. After injuries plagued the early years of her professional career, it was in February that the young forward ended her 10-year association with Manchester United and moved to the United States to sign for Bay FC. Exactly a month after her debut, she was on the bench as the Lionesses beat Spain 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea FC have signed Japan international midfielder Manaka Matsukubo from the National Women's Soccer League's North Carolina Courage. The 21-year-old joins the Blues on a five-year contract after a standout season in which she won the NWSL Midfielder of the Year award, adding another rising star to Chelsea's midfield ahead of the new campaign.
The NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f. Cosmetics, brought the league's first match to Ohio as reigning champions Gotham FC met NWSL Shield winners Kansas City Current.
Erica Parkinson was just 12 years old when she laid out her goals to a mindset coach who has spent the last six years helping her plot a route to the top of the game. "I want to play for England at the World Cup," she proclaimed. Fast-forward to today and, having become the Lionesses’ youngest call-up under Sarina Wiegman and just signed for the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL, it’s not out of the question that the dream could be realised in 12 months’ time.
One of England's brightest young talents, Erica Parkinson, has signed for two-time NWSL champions North Carolina Courage in the first big transfer of her career. The 18-year-old became the youngest player to be called up by Sarina Wiegman in her Lionesses tenure earlier this year and is now set to continue her development in one of the best leagues in the women's game.
Gotham FC signed Sam Kerr through the 2030 season, as the deal marks a return to Gotham for Kerr, who previously played three seasons with Sky Blue FC and ends her six-year career with Chelsea FC.
Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga won NWSL MVP and Golden Boot honors for the past two seasons and the Ballon d'Or shortlisted player just re-signed a contract with the Current through 2029 by way of the High Impact player rule.
Barcelona icon Alexia Putellas is set to choose her next club this week, after departing Catalunya at the end of last season. London City Lionesses remain the favourites to sign the two-time Ballon d'Or winner but interest is growing in the NWSL, with two teams in the United States pushing hard to secure her signature, according to a report.
Australian forward Sam Kerr is reportedly heading back to the NWSL. After six trophy-filled seasons with Chelsea, five Women's Super League titles and two Golden Boots, the Australia international has reportedly agreed to rejoin Gotham FC. Kerr previously starred in the NWSL with Sky Blue FC, Chicago and Western New York, leaving as the league's all-time leading scorer.
Sam Kerr is reportedly on the verge of a sensational return to the United States as she nears a free transfer to NWSL champions Gotham FC. The legendary Australian forward recently confirmed her departure from Chelsea, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laden era in west London that saw her become the club's joint-highest goalscorer.
Hannah Waddingham has opened up about the potential for a romantic spark between Rebecca Welton and Ted Lasso as the hit show prepares for its highly anticipated return. The AFC Richmond owner has addressed the fan theories that have dominated social media since the series first captured the hearts of football fans worldwide.
Six stellar members of England’s triumphant UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 squad have been officially awarded MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2026. The prestigious royal accolades recognise their magnificent back-to-back European title defence in Switzerland alongside significant contributions to football, capping an incredible cycle of success for the national setup.
For the second time in National Women's Soccer League history, the NWSL Championship will return to Audi Field in Washington, D.C., home to the Washington Spirit. The venue also hosted the 2022 NWSL Championship where the Portland Thorns were victorious over the Kansas City Current.
Aitana Bonmati has won each of the last three Ballons d'Or Feminin - but the accolade will go to someone else in 2026. Will it be two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star Alexia Putellas who reasserts herself as the best player in the women's game? Or could there be a new name on the honour roll when the Golden Ball is handed out in Paris in October?
It's officially transfer season. Europe's biggest competitions have concluded, new champions have been crowned and now attention turns to who will be on the move ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with there plenty of big names in the women's game set for summer switches in what promises to be an entertaining and exciting few months.
US Women's National Team and Chelsea defender Naomi Girma sat down with the Soccer Girl Podcast to discuss the pressures of elite football, the evolution of the women's game and the deeply personal motivation behind her mental health advocacy.
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