For the first time since the league's founding, free agency was guaranteed by the new NWSL and NWSLPA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ratified before the 2022 season started.

 

To be a free agent, a player must have six years in the NWSL and their contract (also known as an SPA) must be expiring.

 

There was some conflict between the league and the players association about free agency in August.