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MLS vs NWSL

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All Categories Combat Sports Equestrian Esports Individual Sports Motor Sports Party Games Playground Games Racquet Sports Team Sports Water Sports Winter Sports

AFirst Sport

MLS

Soccer

First Sport

Details

Players11

Settingoutdoor

Season2026 Major League Soccer Competition Guidelines (30 clubs across two conferences; Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs format)

CategoryTeam Sports

BSecond Sport

NWSL

Soccer

Second Sport

Details

Players11

Settingoutdoor

Season2026 NWSL Competition Rules & Regulations (single-table single-elimination postseason; Only The Captain rule introduced)

CategoryTeam Sports

24

Shared Topics

21

Different Rules

3

Shared Rules

Rule-by-Rule Comparison(24)

Athletic Training and Medical Coverage

Same

MLS

Each match must have at least one club physician on the bench, supported by Certified Athletic Trainers; An emergency action plan covering on-field cardiac, head/neck, and orthopedic emergencies must be in effect at every venue; Independent league medical observers may be present for high-profile...

NWSL

Each match must have at least one club physician on the bench, supported by certified athletic trainers; An emergency action plan covering on-field cardiac, head/neck, and orthopedic emergencies must be in effect at every venue; Independent league medical observers may be present for high-profile...

Bench Composition

Different

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MLS

Maximum 19 individuals on each bench: 9 named substitute players, 9 staff members, 1 club physician; Two Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) must be on the bench; Coaches/staff/substitutes who leave the bench to egregiously protest an official's decision or express dissent face fines and/or suspen...

NWSL

The team bench houses the nine named substitute players and a limited list of staff approved by the league, including the head coach, assistant coaches, the team athletic trainer, and one club physician. Bench staff who leave the technical area to...

Concussion Protocol

Different

MLS

MLS operates under the league's Concussion Management Protocol, developed in conjunction with U.S. Soccer and the league medical staff.

NWSL

NWSL operates under the league's Concussion Management Protocol developed in conjunction with U.S. Soccer and the league medical staff.

Cooling and Drinks Breaks

Different

MLS

For matches played in extreme heat conditions, the referee may authorize cooling breaks of up to three minutes around the 30th and 75th minutes, distinct from the half-time interval. Mandatory cooling breaks apply when WBGT (Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature) is at or above 82°F (27.8°C).

NWSL

For matches played in extreme heat conditions, the referee may authorize cooling breaks of up to three minutes around the 30th and 75th minutes, distinct from the half-time interval. Triggers are typically WBGT-based and managed by the league medical staff in coordination with the home club.

Field Conditions

Same

MLS

The home club is responsible for ensuring the field of play meets league surface standards. Lightning detection and the league lightning policy halt outdoor activity within a defined radius of detected strikes; play resumes only after the all-clear interval has elapsed.

NWSL

The home club is responsible for ensuring the field of play meets league surface standards. Lightning detection and the league lightning policy halt outdoor activity within a defined radius of detected strikes; play resumes only after the all-clear interval has elapsed.

Field Dimensions

Different

MLS

MLS matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards). The league's preferred dimensions favor the upper end of the range and are subject to venue capacity.

NWSL

NWSL matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards) — with the league's preferred dimensions favoring the upper end of the range...

Field Markings

Same

MLS

Touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines bound the field; Halfway line with a centre mark and a 9.15 m centre circle; Goal area (5.5 m × 18.32 m) and penalty area (16.5 m × 40.32 m) at each end

NWSL

Touchlines (sidelines) and goal lines bound the field; Halfway line with a centre mark and a 9.15 m centre circle; Goal area (5.5 m × 18.32 m) and penalty area (16.5 m × 40.32 m) at each end

Goal

Different

MLS

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no infringement was committed previously by the team scoring the goal (IFAB Law 10). All MLS venues use goal-line technol...

NWSL

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no infringement was committed previously by the team scoring the goal (IFAB Law 10). All NWSL venues use goal-line techno...

Goal Frames and Nets

Different

MLS

Goals are 7.32 m wide by 2.44 m high (IFAB Law 1), painted white, securely anchored, and fitted with nets that do not interfere with the goalkeeper or with retrieved balls. All MLS venues use league-approved goal frames meeting FIFA Quality requirements.

NWSL

Goals are 7.32 m wide by 2.44 m high (IFAB Law 1), painted white, securely anchored, and fitted with nets that do not interfere with the goalkeeper or with retrieved balls.

Heat and Air Quality

Different

MLS

Mandatory cooling breaks apply when WBGT is at or above 82°F (27.8°C). The league applies WBGT-based heat thresholds for cooling breaks, additional water breaks, and, in extreme cases, for delays of kickoff or postponement.

NWSL

The league applies WBGT-based heat thresholds for cooling breaks and, in extreme cases, for delays of kickoff or postponement. Air-quality-index thresholds apply for venues affected by wildfire smo...

Match Structure

Different

MLS

MLS matches consist of two 45-minute halves separated by a half-time interval not to exceed 15 minutes. The referee adds additional time at the end of each half to compensate for stoppages includin...

NWSL

Regular-season NWSL matches consist of two 45-minute halves separated by a half-time interval not to exceed 15 minutes. The referee adds additional time at the end of each half to compensate for st...

Officiating Crew

Different

MLS

Each MLS match is officiated by a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and at least one assistant VAR. The referee on the field has final on-field authority.

NWSL

Each NWSL match is officiated by a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and at least one assistant VAR (AVAR). The referee on the field has final on-field authority.

Penalty Kick Shootout (KFTPM)

Different

MLS

If a playoff match remains level after the applicable regulation/extra-time format, the IFAB Kicks From the Penalty Mark procedure is used: each team takes five alternating kicks from the penalty mark; if still tied, kicks proceed in sudden death until a winner is determined.

NWSL

If a playoff match remains level after extra time, the IFAB Kicks From the Penalty Mark procedure is used: each team takes five alternating kicks from the penalty mark; if still tied, kicks proceed in sudden death until a winner is determined. Per...

Players' Equipment

Different

MLS

Jersey or shirt with sleeves; sleeveless undershirts must match the primary color of the jersey sleeve; Shorts; compression undershorts must match the primary color of the shorts; Socks; tape applied externally must match the color of the sock at the point of contact

NWSL

Jersey or shirt with sleeves (sleeveless undershirts must match the primary color of the jersey sleeve); Shorts (compression undershorts or tights, if worn, must match the primary color of the shorts); Socks (any tape applied externally must match the color of the sock at the point of contact)

Regular-Season Format

Different

MLS

30 clubs split into Eastern Conference (15) and Western Conference (15); Each club plays 34 matches — 17 home and 17 away; Each club plays its 14 conference opponents twice (28 games — once home, once away)

NWSL

Single-table format: all 16 clubs play in one combined league standings (no East/West conferences); Each club plays 30 regular-season matches; 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss

Section 2: Equipment

Different

MLS

The 2026 MLS Competition Guidelines specify 14 Ball Stands positioned around the field perimeter at each MLS venue.

NWSL

Each club designates one starting captain per match who wears a captain's armband visible to the match officials. Identification of the captain is operative for the 2026 "Only The Captain" rule (Section 7), under which only the captain may approac...

Section 3: Playing Area

Different

MLS

MLS matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards). The league's preferred dimensions favor the upper end of the range and are subject to venue capacity.

NWSL

NWSL matches are played on a rectangular field within IFAB Law 1 limits — a length of 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) and a width of 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards) — with the league's preferred dimensions favoring the upper end of the range...

Section 4: Players & Officials

Different

MLS

Each MLS match is officiated by a referee, two assistant referees, a fourth official, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), and at least one assistant VAR. The referee on the field has final on-field authority.

NWSL

Each NWSL club selects a match-day roster of up to 20 players (11 starters and 9 named substitutes). Senior roster construction, international slots, allocation money, and salary mechanics are governed by the separate NWSL Roster Rules & Regulations document and are out of scope here.

Section 5: Rules of Play

Different

MLS

Tiebreakers, in order, when teams are level on points at the end of the regular season:

NWSL

The referee signals each substitution opportunity, the substitute enters at the halfway line, and the player being replaced exits across the nearest sideline within a brief permitted window. Tactical or non-medical delays during a substitution are penalty-deserving conduct under IFAB Law 12.

Section 6: Scoring

Different

MLS

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no infringement was committed previously by the team scoring the goal (IFAB Law 10). All MLS venues use goal-line technol...

NWSL

A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided no infringement was committed previously by the team scoring the goal (IFAB Law 10). All NWSL venues use goal-line techno...

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

Different

MLS

The IFAB list of cautionable and sending-off offenses applies in full. Two yellow cards in the same match results in a sending-off (red card by accumulation).

NWSL

The IFAB list of cautionable offenses applies, including unsporting behavior, dissent by word or action, persistent infringement of the Laws, delaying the restart of play, failure to respect the required distance at restarts, entering or re-enteri...

Section 8: Safety Considerations

Different

MLS

MLS operates under the league's Concussion Management Protocol, developed in conjunction with U.S. Soccer and the league medical staff.

NWSL

NWSL operates under the league's Concussion Management Protocol developed in conjunction with U.S. Soccer and the league medical staff.

Squad and Match Roster

Different

MLS

Each MLS club selects a match-day roster of up to 20 players (11 starters and 9 named substitutes); Senior roster construction, international slots, allocation money, and salary mechanics are governed by the separate MLS Roster Rules & Regulations

NWSL

Each NWSL club selects a match-day roster of up to 20 players (11 starters and 9 named substitutes). Senior roster construction, international slots, allocation money, and salary mechanics are governed by the separate NWSL Roster Rules & Regulations document and are out of scope here.

The Ball

Different

MLS

MLS matches use a FIFA Quality Programme approved match ball: spherical, 68–70 cm circumference, 410–450 g at the start of the match, and inflated to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres of pressure at sea level (I...

NWSL

NWSL matches use a FIFA Quality Programme approved match ball: spherical, 68–70 cm circumference, 410–450 g at the start of the match, and inflated to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres of pressure at sea level (...

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