There are still four teams left in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, but once the 20th MLS Cup is won on December 6, the focus for clubs and fans will shift to an offseason that is growing more complex each year. As part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that forged in March, free agency will be an option to select veteran MLS players for the first time. The winter calendar includes the other roster mechanisms, including waiver drafts, re-entry drafts and the January SuperDraft of college players. Courtesy of MLS Communications, here is a full rundown of important offseason dates and events.
2015-16 Offseason Calendar
Monday, December 7 -- List of all players eligible for Free Agency and Re-Entry Draft made public
Tuesday, December 8 -- Starting at 12 p.m. CT, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with MLS clubs outside of their previous club...List of eligible players for the Waiver Draft made public
Wednesday, December 9 -- Waiver Draft at 3:30 p.m. CT
Thursday, December 10 -- Starting at 4 p.m. CT, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players
Friday, December 11 -- Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft at 2 p.m. CT
Wednesday, December 16 -- Starting at 10 a.m. CT, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players
Thursday, December 17 -- Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft at 2 p.m. CT
January 7-12, 2016 -- 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine
January 14, 2016 -- 2016 MLS SuperDraft
January 22, 2016 -- 2016 MLS preseason begins
Free Agency
Players 28 years of age and 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 August 15 or played in at least one regular season or postseason game in the relevant year.
The list of eligible Free Agents will be released on Monday, December 7. Starting at 12 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 8, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with MLS clubs outside of their previous club.
Waiver Draft
The Waiver Draft will be held on Wednesday, December 9 at 3:30 p.m. CT. 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. For more information on the Waiver Process, click here.
Re-Entry Draft
Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft will be held on Friday, December 11 at 2 p.m. CT. Players who are available in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft are:
1. 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).
2. 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).
3. Free Agents that choose to participate
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, December 17 at 2 p.m. CT.
The Re-Entry Draft Order is determined by the reverse order of the final standings in the MLS season, taking into account postseason performance.
For more information on the 2015 Re-Entry Process, click here.
2016 adidas MLS Player Combine & MLS SuperDraft
The 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine will be held from January 7-12, 2016 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Further details on the Combine, including invitees, game times and locations will be announced at a later date.
Following the Combine, the 2016 MLS SuperDraft will held on Thursday, January 14 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD.
2016 MLS preseason
2016 MLS preseason training camps will officially open on Friday, January 22, 2016.
