The MLS offseason is upon us, and it’s time to get excited about the best signings, trades, and draft picks that will happen over the next few months. Every year brings something new to look forward to—and with that comes some key dates you’ll need to know about before they happen. Here’s what you need to know for the 2023 MLS offseason as per the MLS schedule:
November 4, 2023 – Eligible players may now be signed to new contracts, with the signing window opening November 14 and closing December 12
As the MLS offseason begins, teams can start signing players who are out of contract with their clubs. In addition to that, teams can also sign players who have been waived by their clubs and traded away by their clubs. Furthermore, they could sign players that were loaned to other clubs during the current season; or they could sign those who have been released by their previous team in order to acquire them on a free transfer.
November 14, 2023 – Free agency opens for eligible players
Free agency is the term for when players become available to sign with any club. It is not the same as the free agent period, which refers to a fixed time frame during which clubs can acquire players who have been out of contract at their previous club since January 1.
Free agents are players that have been out of contract at their previous club since January 1, and they can be signed by new clubs once they are registered as official free agents by MLS.
November 19, 2023 – All clubs must issue contract offers to eligible players
On November 19, 2023, all clubs must issue contract offers to eligible players. The offer will be the same as the previous year’s salary or a 10% increase over that number, whichever is greater. Players who do not receive an offer can negotiate with other teams or sign their current club’s qualifying offer (which means they become restricted, free agents). If a player does not accept an offer by December 1, he becomes a free agent and can negotiate with any club.
December 2, 2023 – Players who have not been issued contract offers by their former clubs become free agents
On December 2, 2023, the MLS winter transfer window will open. This date represents a key moment in the offseason as it marks the point where players who have not been issued contract offers by their former clubs become free agents. At this point, players are allowed to negotiate with any MLS club and sign with any MLS club, but they cannot play for another team until their contract expires or is terminated.
With the close of the MLS transfer window, teams can now turn their attention to their offseason plans. Some clubs will be looking to bolster their rosters with new signings, while others may look to move on from certain players who failed to perform up to expectations during the season. Catch the game with DIRECTV STREAM MLS DIRECTV KICK, the Major League Soccer package.
Whatever your team’s situation is going into this offseason, one thing is certain: there will be plenty of drama as each club prepares for the 2023 season!