Major League Soccer on Thursday released its 2015-16 offseason calendar, complete with details about free agency, the league’s various draft mechanisms, the MLS Combine and SuperDraft and the beginning of preseason.
The key dates for the upcoming offseason are as follows:
Monday, Dec. 7
List of all players eligible for Free Agency and Re-Entry Draft made public.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Starting at 10 a.m. PT, free agents may engage in negotiations with MLS clubs outside of their previous club.
List of eligible players for the Waiver Draft made public outlining upcoming offseason events and timetables.
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 Aug. 15 or played in at least one regular season or postseason game in the relevant year.
Wednesday. Dec. 9
Waiver Draft at 1:30 p.m. PT
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.
Thursday, Dec. 10
Starting at 2 p.m. PT, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players.
Friday, Dec. 11
Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft at 12 p.m. PT
The Re-Entry 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 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 p.m. ET.
For more information on the 2015 Re-Entry Process, click here,
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
Thursday, Dec. 17
Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft at 12 p.m. PT
Jan. 7-12, 2016
2016 adidas MLS Player Combine
The 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Further details on the Combine, including invitees, game times and locations will be announced at a later date. Information on the event will be updated here.
Jan. 14, 2016
2016 MLS SuperDraft
Following the Combine, the 2016 MLS SuperDraft will held on Thursday, Jan. 14 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD. Information on the event will be updated here.
Jan. 22
2016 MLS preseason begins
MLS preseason training camps will officially open on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016.
