Draft to air across CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ and CBS Sports HQ, coverage to begin at 6 p.m. ET

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (November 15, 2022) – The National Women’s Soccer League announced today that the 2023 NWSL Draft is set for Thursday, January 12 at 6 p.m. ET, and will be held during the United Soccer Coaches Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

San Diego Wave Fútbol Club’s most notable college draft acquisition for 2022 was #1 pick Naomi Girma, who went on to win this season’s NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year.  Wave FC also drafted midfielder Belle Briede (3rd Round, No. 27), defender Kayla Bruster (4th Round, No. 40), midfielder Sydney Pulver (2nd Round, No. 25) and midfielder Marleen Schimmer (First Round, No. 9).

The NWSL has also opened player registration for the NWSL Draft. Interested players can access the online registration form here. 

In order to be eligible for the 2023 NWSL Draft, a player must:

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or a foreign national who is currently or was enrolled at a university in the United States during the 2022-23 academic year
  • Be an individual who has exhausted, lost, or renounced their remaining collegiate eligibility during the 2022 calendar year, including high school graduates choosing to forego
  • Be at least 18 years old on or before January 1, 2023
  • Not be under a current professional contract, nor have previously signed a contract to play soccer professionally

Additionally, the NWSL has introduced a new entry mechanism for players under the age of 18 wishing to enter the league. With the consent of the player and their parent or legal guardian, teams may place eligible players on an Under-18 Entry List to be selected under the following criteria:

  • Each team is limited to two Under-18 players between its senior roster and the Entry List
  •  Players must be signed to a guaranteed contract within 30 days of being placed on the list and the contract term must run through the season in which the player turns 18
  • Players will occupy a full roster spot
  • Players may be placed on or called up from the list at any time during the season
  • Players may not be waived or traded until the player has turned 18 or the team has received consent from both the player and parent or legal guardian
  • Players may not be selected in the expansion process
  • Players must reside with a parent or legal guardian until their 18th birthday

Under-18 Entry List slots are not tradeable.

For the full list of draft rules and regulations please click here.

Players who register for the draft but are not selected will become discovery eligible on the day following the 2023 NWSL Draft.

The league’s current draft order can be seen here.

Coverage of the NWSL Draft presented by Ally will begin on CBS Sports Networkfrom 6 to 7 p.m. ET. The draft will then stream live onParamount+ and CBS Sports HQ, the free 24/7 streaming sports news network, from 7 to 11 p.m. ET.

Be there for every moment of Wave FC’s 2023 campaign with Season Tickets and make your deposit today. Season Ticket members enjoy a one-of-a-kind game day experience at the new Snapdragon Stadium with an array of benefits like exclusive events, gifts, discounts and more. Supporters should stay tuned on club social media and at sandiegowavefc.com for additional player updates and information on the upcoming season.

About San Diego Wave Fútbol Club

San Diego Wave Fútbol Club is the 12th and newest member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club’s vision is to be a force for good through the game of football and is led by President Jill Ellis, former head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) and two-time World Cup champion. Together with Head Coach Casey Stoney, the club is bringing the highest level of world-class, professional soccer to San Diego. USWNT standouts Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper were two of the first players signed to the club, which consists of athletes representing five international soccer federations, including the US, Canada, Sweden, England and Australia. The new Snapdragon stadium serves as Wave FC’s permanent home, where San Diego broke the record for both the NWSL Playoff attendance record and the NWSL regular-season record, with 26,215 and 32,000 fans. Wave FC also made history in 2022 as the first expansion team to make the playoffs before advancing to the NWSL Semi-Final. As the team looks towards next season, supporters can make season ticket deposits for Wave FC’s 2023 season now. Learn more about the club and players at www.SanDiegoWaveFC.com.