Key Offseason Dates Leading Into 2023

The countdown to the 2023 MLS season has officially begun for Atlanta United. Next season kicks off in February. With upcoming changes like Apple as the new broadcast partner of MLS, along with 2022 being a World Cup year, this offseason will be busier than most.

Here are some other important dates this offseason:

Monday, Nov. 7 – Trade Window Opens (12 p.m. ET)

• Atlanta United can begin adjusting the roster and conduct trades with other MLS clubs. Follow all the movement on our Transfer Tracker page.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Trade Window Closes, Blackout Period Begins (12 p.m. ET)

• The 48-hour trade window closes. Atlanta United can no longer sign or trade any players until after the MLS Expansion Draft.

Thursday, Nov. 10 – Expansion Protected List Announced

• The league releases a list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft. (Atlanta United is exempt due to having a player selected in last year’s Expansion Draft.)

Friday, Nov. 11 – MLS Expansion Draft

• The league’s latest expansion club, St. Louis CITY SC, will have the chance to select up to five players from the eligible player list. Watch the MLS Expansion Draft on MLSSoccer.com or the MLS mobile app.

Monday, Nov. 14 – Deadline to submit Bona Fide offers and exercise options (12 p.m. ET)

• The deadline for Atlanta United to submit to the league office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers. Atlanta United must submit to the league which players will have their options exercised and which players will not. Stay tuned to ATLUTD.com for the latest news.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 – Free Agency begins (1 p.m. ET)

• Atlanta United can begin discussions with players other than their own who qualify for free agency.

Thursday, Nov. 17 – Re-Entry Process Stage 1 (1 p.m. ET)

• Atlanta United can select experienced MLS players who have not agreed to a new contract with their current club. The selection order is determined in reverse order of 2022 season finish, including postseason performance.

Thursday, Nov. 17 – End-of-Year Waivers (5 p.m. ET)

• The waiver process is conducted in reverse order of the 2022 season finish, including postseason performance. Players eligible for selection on waivers do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry or Free Agency.

Sunday, Nov. 20 – FIFA World Cup Qatar kicks off

• The FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar.

Monday, Nov. 21 – USA vs. Wales in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (2 p.m. ET)

• Atlanta United hosts the first of several watch parties during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. For more information and a full list of our watch parties, visit Atlanta's Guide To FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ or bookmark atlutd.com/qatar2022

Tuesday, Nov. 22 – Re-Entry Process Stage 2 (1 p.m. ET)

• Stage 2 is conducted in the same order as Stage 1 and consists of MLS players who were not selected in Stage 1. Atlanta United can select experienced MLS players who have not agreed to a new contract with their current club but may want to stay in the league.

Thursday, Dec. 8-Monday, Dec. 12 – MLS College Showcase presented by adidas

• The third edition of the MLS College Showcase presented by adidas takes place in Cary, N.C. The event will give Atlanta United’s technical staff an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players with remaining NCAA eligibility.

Mid-December – 2023 Schedule Release

• Though there’s no official date yet, Atlanta United is expected to release next season’s schedule sometime around mid-December. Stay tuned to ATLUTD.com and our social channels @ATLUTD for the announcement.

Sunday, Dec. 18 – FIFA World Cup 2022™ Final Watch Party presented by Coca-Cola (10 a.m. ET)

• Join us at the Coca-Cola Roxy at The Battery to watch the final of the FIFA World Cup™ and see which nation raises the trophy.

Wednesday, Dec. 21 – 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas

• Atlanta United’s order in the draft is determined by the reverse order of the standings at the end of the season, including postseason performance. As the only expansion team in 2022, St. Louis CITY SC has the overall No. 1 pick. The SuperDraft consists of three rounds of player selection.

Early-January – Preseason Workouts begin

• Atlanta United players return to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground for head coach Gonzalo Pineda’s second preseason with the squad. Preseason will offer the first chance to see players such as Brad Guzan and Miles Robinson return to the team from injury. Watch our long-form documentary ‘Brick by Brick’ that follows Guzan’s recovery.