Major League Soccer today announced the full calendar of offseason roster building events, highlighted by the MLS Expansion Draft on November 11 and the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on December 21.
As 2023 expansion club St. Louis CITY SC prepares to begin MLS play next season, the team will have the opportunity to select up to five current MLS players to help shape the core of their inaugural roster during the MLS Expansion Draft. The club also holds the first overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
The full calendar for offseason roster building events and dates are detailed below.
November 7 (11 a.m. CT) - Trade Window Opens
Following a two-month roster freeze, MLS clubs may begin making adjustments to their rosters and conduct trades with other MLS teams.
November 9 (11 a.m. CT) - Trade Window Closes and Blackout Period Begins
Blackout Period begins whereby clubs may no longer sign and/or trade players until the conclusion of the MLS Expansion Draft.
November 10 (time TBD) - Expansion Protected Lists Announced
The list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications.
November 11 (time TBD) - MLS Expansion Draft
St. Louis CITY SC may select up to five players from the eligible player list. Click here for Expansion Draft rules and procedures.
November 14 (11 a.m. CT) - Club Deadline to Submit Bona Fide Offers and Exercise Options
MLS clubs must submit to the MLS League Office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers. MLS clubs must also submit to the MLS League Office which players will have their options exercised and which players will not have their options exercised.
November 16 (12 p.m. CT) - Free Agency Opens
Clubs may engage with players, other than their own, that are eligible for Free Agency. Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and who have completed a minimum of five service years. Click here for Free Agency rules and procedures. MLS Communications will make the complete list of Free Agents available on Nov. 16.
November 17 (12 p.m. CT) - Re-Entry Process, Stage 1
The Re-Entry Process (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is conducted in reverse order of 2022 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club St. Louis CITY SC will have the 29th position in each round. Eligible Players include those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency. An out-of-contract player who has received a BFO from his current club will not be eligible for the Re-Entry Draft. Click here for MLS Re-Entry Process rules. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 1 will be released by MLS Communications on Nov. 16.
November 17 (4 p.m. CT) - End-of-Year Waivers
The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2022 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club St. Louis CITY SC will get the 29th pick, the final selection in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency. Click here for End-of-Year Waivers rules and procedures. The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Nov. 16.
November 22 (12 p.m. CT) - Re-Entry Process, Stage 2
The Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 is conducted in the same order as Stage 1 and consists of MLS players who were not selected in the Stage 1. Not all unselected Stage 1 players will be available for selection as players may re-sign with their previous club between stages or may opt out of the process. Click here for MLS Re-Entry Process rules. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 2 will be released by MLS Communications on Nov. 22.
December 8-12 - MLS College Showcase
The third edition of the MLS College Showcase will take place from Dec. 8-12 in Cary, N.C. The event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players with remaining NCAA eligibility.
December 21 (time TBD) - 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas
The 2023 MLS SuperDraft will consist of three rounds of player selection. The MLS SuperDraft order is set by taking the reverse order of the club standings at the end of each MLS season, taking postseason performance into account, with new expansion club St. Louis CITY SC at the top of the order.
