The NCAA has approved a waiver that allows student-athletes to apply for the 2021 of the NWSL Draft but retain their college eligibility prior to the process.

The draft is scheduled for January 13, 2021. Due to the possibility of a spring season, the NWSL requested a waiver that would allow potential draftees to enter the draft without immediately foregoing eligibility. Players picked in the 2021 Draft must then decide by Friday, January 22, whether or not to report to their NWSL team immediately or at the end of the spring semester.

Those electing not to play the spring season will forgeit eligibilty, while those deciding to remain in school will be unable to sign a contract until the spring 2021 season is finished.

The deadline to register for the 2021 NWSL Draft is Monday, January 11, 2021. 

Earlier this year, the NWSL announced plans to start the regular season in mid-May, after the second Challenge Cup is contested prior earlier in the spring.