MLSNext PlayerMovement Calendar

June 24 – July 14 – Open Period

Players can train, trial, and play with any MLS NEXT Club without requiring approval from the Club from the previous season. Communication between Clubs is highly recommended when one MLS NEXT Club is recruiting players from another MLS NEXT Club

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July 15 – August 22 – Initial Registration Period

Players may continue to train, trial, and play non-MLS NEXT matches with any MLS NEXT Club Players are free to register with any MLS NEXT Club. Once a player is fully registered & approved for a Club in Kitman Labs, they cannot register with a different MLS NEXT Club until the Player Movement Period (unless the player is released during a different Period without communication between Clubs). Players cannot register with a different MLS NEXT club for the 24/25 season until the ??

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Initial Registration Period opens on July 15, 2024

MLS NEXT prefers that Clubs do not commit players to their teams or request participation fees/dues for the 2024-25 season until the Initial Registration Period opens on July 15.

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August 23 – October 17 – Closed Period

MLS NEXT Clubs cannot communicate with players, trial players, or recruit players registered with another MLS NEXT Club. Except for approved local talent discovery programs with written consent from both Clubs. Clubs can communicate with each other to express interest/arrange a trial for a player once the closed period ends but absolutely no communication with the player can take place until the Closed Period is over.

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October 18 – May 22 – In-Season Trial Period

MLS NEXT Clubs can communicate with and recruit players, but players cannot register with a new MLS NEXT Club until the Player Movement Period. The requesting MLS NEXT Club must have written approval from the responding MLS NEXT Club before contacting a player for a trial.

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January 1 – January 31 – Player Movement Period

MLS NEXT Clubs can communicate with and recruit players Players can register with a different MLS NEXT Club. For a player to move from one MLS NEXT Club to another in the Player Movement Period, they must be released from their current Club and obtain written approval for them to move to a different Club.

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May 23 – June 23 – Roster Freeze Period

Players cannot register or go on trial with a new club during the Roster Freeze Period Players cannot be released during the Roster Freeze Period. The Roster Freeze Period ends at the conclusion of MLS NEXT Cup (June 23, 2025)