NWSL introduces High Impact Player Rule – allowing each club to exceed salary cap by up to $1,000,000

 After weeks and weeks of deliberation, the NWSL announced today the creation of the High Impact Player Rule – a mechanism that is designed to provide cubs with expanded flexibility to attract and retain qualified players.

The High Impact Player Rule will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

Per the terms of the CBA, the NWSL exercised its discretion to establish the new mechanism after consultation with the NWSL Players Association.

Under this rule, each club may exceed the league salary cap by up to $1,000,000 for high impact players with the threshold growing year-over-year at the same rate. It can be distributed on a single or among multiple players. The cap charge minimum must be at least 12% of the base salary cap.

In order to qualify for the new HIPR rule, one of the following commercial or sporting criteria must be met:

• Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within the one (1) year prior to the current league season; or,
• Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the two (2) years prior to the current league season; or
• Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
• Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
• Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for field players for all competition types; or
• Top one (1) minutes played for USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types; or
• Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the two (2) league seasons; or
• Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous two (2) league seasons.

According to the league, the criteria will be reviewed regularly. In 2026, the league-wide player spend could potentially increase by $16 million.

“Ensuring our teams can compete for the best players in the world is critical to the continued growth of our league,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “The High Impact Player Rule allows teams to invest strategically in top talent, strengthens our ability to retain star players, and demonstrates our commitment to building world-class rosters for fans across the league.”