U.S. Soccer: Extend NCAA season

"A committee working on behalf of U.S. Soccer has recommended that men's college soccer switch to a season that stretches across the full academic year beginning fall 2026. The recommendation comes after U.S. Soccer tasked the 17-person "NexGen College Soccer Committee" with finding solutions to evolve college soccer to, among other things, better prepare players to turn professional and compete at the international level."

"The committee recommended that more time is needed to evaluate the best future construct of women's college soccer, although the result could be the same recommendation as the men's game. Regardless of how the college game evolves, the committee said in its report, which was released on Thursday, that it "believes strongly that any of these [four proposed] options are far superior to the status quo.""

"Any changes, which still need clear the major hurdle of NCAA approval, would overhaul a college soccer system that has historically served as a development pathway for American pro players -- especially women -- but has not evolved with the modern professional game. Longstanding issues with college soccer include a truncated season played entirely in the fall, which puts heavy demand on athletes during that time and leaves them largely without competition for most of the year."

U.S. Soccer's NexGen College Soccer Committee recommended that men's college soccer move to a season spanning the full academic year beginning fall 2026 to better prepare players for professional and international competition. The 17-person committee was charged with evolving college soccer to enhance player development, financial stability, and the student-athlete experience. The committee said more evaluation is needed on the women's game, which could result in a similar change. Any proposed changes require NCAA approval and would overhaul a system long criticized for a truncated, fall-only season that concentrates demands on athletes and leaves long gaps without competition.

Read at ESPN.com