By OkayGoal 
The inaugural National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Combines are set to take place in December 2025 in Florida, which will be a huge professional move for the league and for potential new stars. So what are the Combines? What does it mean?
The Combines replace the traditional NWSL Draft, which was eliminated as part of the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Combines are essentially an invitation-only player showcase for top talent, allowing NWSL teams to scout players from all backgrounds. There are two Combines, one for youth U13-17, and one for adults and college-aged talent, U18-23. The new Combines system brings the NWSL to global soccer standards. It offers more freedom for talent and a broader scouting platform for clubs. A win-win, essentially.
According to NWSL Soccer, “the Combines are part of the NWSL’s continued efforts to strengthen talent pipelines, support non-traditional pathways into the league, and provide a comprehensive scouting platform for clubs.”
How it Benefits the Players
The Combines, as a showcase, helps with player choice. Instead of the traditional draft where players have little say over their club assignments, the Combines shifts the structure so that all players entering the league become automatic unrestricted free agents. The Combines also caps the number of players invited at 60 to give players more direct access to Clubs and provide more focused opportunities. This showcase structure also allows for more equitable chances to see talent. Rather than only drafting students from traditional high-performing academies and universities, this also offers players from “non-linear paths” a chance to be seen.
“This initiative is about widening the lens of who gets seen and ensuring that talent, wherever it resides, has a continued pathway to our league,” said NWSL’s director of youth development, Karla Thompson, in a statement.
How it Benefits the League
The Combines gives clubs a chance to widen the net when it comes to discovering talent. They can also do so within a centralized structure. The Combines will emphasize professional development and education to contribute to overall talent development. In general, The Combines shifts the overall power dynamic in the league, both for the players and for the clubs. This also helps the league as 2026 ushers in new expansion teams from Boston and Denver.
It will be fascinating to see what new talent is discovered in the inaugural Combines in December. Who do you hope will be showcased? What do you think about this shift?
Image via @nwsl
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