NWSL Outlines Roster Rules for Expansion Teams

Atlanta and Columbus will build rosters for their 2028 inaugural seasons without an expansion draft.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Soccer

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a soccer ball in motion, capturing the tactical energy of professional league roster building. — The NWSL has established new roster-building mechanisms for its 2028 expansion teams in Atlanta and Columbus following the expansion draft's abolition. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The NWSL has announced new roster-building mechanisms for incoming expansion teams in Atlanta and Columbus. The league will reach 18 teams in 2028 following the abolition of the expansion draft in its latest collective bargaining agreement.

Why it matters

The league eliminated the expansion draft, necessitating new methods for the two new clubs to build competitive rosters for their debut seasons. These teams now have specific financial thresholds to sign players early and loan them to existing clubs.

Expansion teams Atlanta and Columbus paid fees of $165 million and $205 million, respectively, above the league's $184 million average franchise valuation. Expansion clubs receive a $1.9 million transfer fee threshold, compared to $665,500 for non-expansion teams.

The players

Atlanta City FC

This newly formed organization is preparing for its 2028 entry into the NWSL.

Columbus NWSL

This expansion club is currently developing its roster strategy for its inaugural season in 2028.

The details

Beginning in 2027, the expansion franchises can sign players and loan them to other teams to build their rosters. The clubs will operate under a 2027 expansion salary cap of $628,320, with access to over $1.43 million in allocation money until December 31, 2030.

January 1, 2027: Access to transfer fees begins for expansion teams.
2027: Atlanta and Columbus begin signing and loaning players.
January 1, 2028: High Impact Player rule spending becomes available.
2028: Atlanta City FC and Columbus NWSL play their inaugural seasons.
December 31, 2030: Final deadline for using funded allocation money.

Season Trajectory

The introduction of these teams marks a transition away from the traditional expansion draft towards a more flexible player-acquisition model. This shift alters the competitive balance for the league as it expands to 18 total teams by the 2028 season.

The move enables expansion clubs to secure talent years in advance by utilizing loan deals. These specific financial structures determine how effectively Atlanta and Columbus can compete for high-level players immediately upon entering the league.

The takeaway

The league's shift to a signing-and-loan model provides new teams with increased flexibility compared to the rigid constraints of previous expansion drafts. This approach allows expansion clubs to build roster depth well ahead of their inaugural campaigns.