NWSL Announces Roster-Building Assets for 2028 Expansion Teams Atlanta City FC and Columbus NWSL

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced the roster-building assets available to Atlanta City FC and Columbus NWSL, the league's 17th and 18th clubs, respectively, ahead of their 2028 inaugural seasons.

The player acquisition mechanisms will allow both expansion clubs to begin building their rosters in 2027, providing additional financial flexibility and player acquisition opportunities ahead of their first season of competition.

EXPANSION TEAM ROSTER-BUILDING ASSETS

Beginning January 1, 2027, both Atlanta City FC and Columbus NWSL will have access to the following roster-building assets as they prepare to begin play in 2028:

• Allocation Money: Each club will have access to $1,430,000 in allocation money, representing approximately 30 percent of the 2028 base salary cap. Allocation money must be funded by the clubs and may be used to reduce salary cap charges, pay transfer and loan fees and be used in trades. Unused, funded allocation money will remain available through December 31, 2030, including any funds subsequently traded to another club.
• Transfer Fee Thresholds: Each club will have access to a transfer fee threshold totaling $1.9 million as compared to a transfer fee threshold of $665,500 for non-expansion clubs in 2027. This includes $732,050 available during the 2028 calendar year and an additional $1,167,950 available from January 1, 2027, through the conclusion of the 2028 secondary transfer window. Consistent with league rules, spending above the applicable threshold will incur a salary cap charge equal to 25 percent of the excess amount.
• 2027 Salary Cap Flexibility: Each club will have access to a limited 2027 salary cap of $628,320, equivalent to 14.28 percent of the 2027 base salary cap, allowing clubs to begin signing players ahead of their inaugural seasons. High Impact Player (HIP) rule spending is not available until January 1, 2028.
• Roster Requirements: Expansion clubs will not be required to meet the league's minimum roster size requirements in 2027 but must remain within the maximum roster size.
• Player Loans: Expansion clubs may sign players in 2027 and loan them to clubs within or outside the NWSL. For intra-league loans during 2027, the expansion clubs are permitted to retain up to 25 percent of the salary cap charge. Standard loan accounting rules will resume in 2028.

Outside of these expansion-specific player acquisition mechanisms, Atlanta City FC and Columbus NWSL will remain subject to the NWSL Competition Manual and all applicable league rules, guidelines and policies as they prepare for their inaugural 2028 campaigns.