Lauren Holiday Advocates for a Unified Women's Soccer Calendar

Lauren Holiday, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and 2015 World Cup winner, has called for the global harmonization of the women's soccer calendar to enhance the sport's growth. This proposal aligns with Major League Soccer's recent decision to transition to a European-style fall-to-spring schedule starting in July 2027. Holiday, who chairs the investment group Mercury13, which recently acquired a majority stake in Spanish club FC Badalona Women, believes that either a synchronized calendar or a summer-based schedule could be beneficial, depending on the level of investment and broadcasting support.

The Guardian

The current structure sees the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season in the United States running from March to October, while most European leagues operate from September to May. Holiday noted that the NWSL's commercial strength, with domestic TV contracts valued at $60 million per season, positions it favorably for potential calendar changes. In contrast, England’s Women’s Super League (WSL) has a significantly lower domestic TV deal worth $17.5 million, leading to challenges in securing prime broadcasting slots.

The Guardian

Holiday emphasized the advantages of a harmonized global calendar, particularly in facilitating player movement and talent development. “I see huge benefits in having a harmonized global calendar because of the talent pathway and how you’d be able to move players,” she stated. She expressed interest in exploring how a unified schedule could function, suggesting that it could simplify logistics for players and clubs.

The Guardian

Despite the NWSL's current status as a leader in women's soccer, Holiday acknowledged that European leagues are rapidly improving. FC Badalona Women, now competing in Liga F and aiming for Champions League qualification, exemplifies this growth. Holiday remarked, “Badalona can be a massive competitor in the European landscape,” highlighting the club's potential given its proximity to Barcelona and existing infrastructure.

The Guardian

She noted that while the NWSL maintains a competitive edge due to a more balanced league structure, European leagues like the WSL and La Liga tend to have a few dominant teams, which can create disparities in competition. Holiday attributed the NWSL's success to robust talent pathways in the U.S., including college and club systems that support player development.

The Guardian

Holiday's insights reflect a growing consensus on the need for structural changes in women's soccer to foster its development. She believes that as leagues continue to expand and improve, the competitive gap between them will diminish.

The Guardian

While Holiday's vision for a unified calendar has merit, some critics argue that logistical challenges and differing regional interests may hinder such a transition. Concerns about the feasibility of synchronizing schedules across various leagues and the potential impact on local fan engagement have been raised.

The Guardian

• “I think either model could work, it just depends on what investment is behind it, who is supporting it in the broadcasting world and who’s putting it on prime time?” — Lauren Holiday, Former USWNT Forward

The Guardian

• “I see huge benefits in having a harmonised global calendar because of the talent pathway and how you’d be able to move players,” — Lauren Holiday, Former USWNT Forward

The Guardian

• “Badalona can be a massive competitor in the European landscape,” — Lauren Holiday, Former USWNT Forward

The Guardian

As women's soccer continues to evolve, the discussion around a unified calendar remains a pivotal topic for stakeholders aiming to elevate the sport on a global scale.

The Guardian