Major League Soccer announced on Thursday key dates for the upcoming 2015-16 offseason, including the opening of the free agency window, Re-Entry Draft dates and the opening of the 2016 MLS preseason.
More info on the timeline for the upcoming offseason, which officially begins following MLS Cup on Dec. 6, can be found below. Additional information on the rules regarding free agency, the Re-Entry process and the Waiver Draft can also be found below, with the full roster rules available here.
2015-16 Offseason Calendar
<strong>Monday, December 7</strong> |
List of all players eligible for Free Agency and Re-Entry Draft made public |
<strong>Tuesday, December 8</strong> |
Starting at 1 p.m. ET, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with MLS clubs outside of their previous club<br>List of eligible players for the Waiver Draft made public |
<strong>Wednesday, December 9</strong> |
Waiver Draft at 4:30 p.m. ET |
<strong>Thursday, December 10</strong> |
Starting at 5 p.m. ET, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players |
<strong>Friday, December 11</strong> |
Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft at 3 p.m. ET |
<strong>Wednesday, December 16</strong> |
Starting at 11 a.m. ET, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players |
<strong>Thursday, December 17</strong> |
Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft at 3 p.m. ET |
<strong>January 7-12, 2016</strong> |
2016 adidas MLS Player Combine |
<strong>Thursday, January 14, 2016</strong> |
2016 MLS SuperDraft |
<strong>Friday, January 22, 2016</strong> |
2016 MLS preseason begins |
Free Agency
Players 28 years of age and older with eight years of MLS service who are out of contract, or have not had their option exercised, are eligible for Free Agency in 2015, allowing them the freedom to negotiate a new contract with any MLS club, including their previous club, subject to certain restrictions. A player has fulfilled a year of service if they were on a club’s roster prior to August 15 or played in at least one regular season or postseason game in the relevant year.
The list of eligible Free Agents will be released on Monday, Dec. 7. Starting at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 8, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with MLS clubs outside of their previous club.
Waiver Draft
The Waiver Draft will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 pm ET. The Waiver Draft will consist of players who have been waived by their clubs and are not eligible for Re-Entry or Free Agency. Under contract players who are selected in the Waiver Draft will be automatically added to the drafting club’s roster. Clubs that claim Out-of-Contract players in the Waiver Draft must issue a genuine offer to the selected player.
The Waiver Draft Order is determined by the reverse order of the final standings in the MLS season, taking into account postseason performance. The list of eligible players for the 2015 Waiver Draft will be announced on Tuesday, Dec. 8. More information on the Waiver Process.
Re-Entry Draft
Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft will be held on Friday, Dec. 11 at 3 pm ET. Players who are available in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft are:
- Players who are at least 23-years-old and have a minimum of three MLS service years whose options were not exercised by their clubs (available at option salary for 2016).
- Players who are at least 25-years-old with a minimum of four years of MLS experience who are out of contract and whose club does not wish to re-sign them at their previous salary (available for at least their 2015 salary).
- Free Agents that choose to participate
The list of eligible players for the 2015 Re-Entry Draft will be announced on Monday, Dec. 7. Players that are not selected in Stage One will be made available in Stage Two on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 3 pm ET.
The Re-Entry Draft Order is determined by the reverse order of the final standings in the MLS season, taking into account postseason performance.
More information on the 2015 Re-Entry Process
2016 adidas MLS Player Combine & MLS SuperDraft
The 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine will be held from January 7-12, 2016 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Further details on the Combine, including invitees, game times and locations will be announced at a later date.
Following the Combine, the 2016 MLS SuperDraft will held on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD.
2016 MLS Preseason
2016 MLS preseason training camps will officially open on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.
