We're just gearing up for the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, but the action won't stop after MLS Cup on Dec. 12. MLS on Thursday announced the offseason calendar, meaning that right after the 2020 champion is decided, there is likely to be a flurry of trades and roster moves around the league.
The action will start with a four-hour trade window starting at 9 am ET on Dec. 13 in which teams may trade players. Other important dates include the MLS Expansion Draft on Dec. 15, which you will be able to watch on MLSsoccer.com and the MLS mobile app, the deadline for clubs to exercise options on players on Dec. 13, and the opening of free agency on Dec. 16. You can check out all the details below:
| 2020 MLS Offseason Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Nov. 30 1:00 PM ET | Club deadline to submit Bona Fide Offers and Exercise Options MLS clubs not competing in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs (including clubs that did not qualify and clubs eliminated during the Play-In Round or Round One) must notify the League Office in writing of bona fide offers and exercised options. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs. |
| Dec. 1-13 1:00 PM ET | Club deadline to submit Bona Fide Offers and Exercise Options For any clubs competing in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, one day after elimination, the club must notify the League Office of bona fide offers and exercised options. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs. |
| Dec. 13 9:00 AM ET | Half-Day Trade Window Opens Following a 45-day roster freeze, MLS clubs may trade players. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs. |
| Dec. 13 1:00 PM ET | Half-Day Trade Window Closes and Blackout Period Begins Blackout Period begins whereby clubs may no longer sign and/or trade players until conclusion of 2020 Expansion Draft. |
| Dec. 15 TBC | 2020 MLS Expansion Draft Austin FC may select up to five players from the eligible player list. The list of players eligible for selection in the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. ET. Expansion Draft Rules |
| Dec. 16 TBC | End-of-Year Waivers The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2020 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Expansion club Austin FC will have the 27th pick in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency. The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14 End-of-Year Waivers Rules & Procedures |
| Dec. 16 1:00 PM ET | End-of-Year Waivers The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2020 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Expansion club Austin FC will have the 27th pick in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency. The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14 End-of-Year Waivers Rules & Procedures |
| Dec. 16 1:00 PM ET | 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. MLS Communications will make the complete list of Free Agents available on Dec. 14 Free Agency Rules & Procedures |
| Dec. 17 TBC | Re-Entry Process, Stage 1 The Re-Entry Process (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is conducted in reverse order of 2020 season finish, taking into account postseason performance. Expansion club Austin FC will have the 27th pick in each round. Eligible Players include those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and their contract options were not exercised by their clubs or they did not receive a bona fide offer. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 1 will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 14. MLS Re-Entry Process Rules |
| Dec. 22 TBC | 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. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 2 will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. ET. MLS Re-Entry Process Rules |
