Soccer is almost back in full swing as the top leagues in the world start to begin their seasons. Premier League begins on August 15, La Liga begins on August 15, Serie A begins on August 23, Bundesliga begins on August 22, and Ligue 1 begins on August 15. MLS and NWSL are both halfway through their seasons and the playoff race has begun. With every league playing at the same time, there is not a better time to be a soccer fan. Here are our top 10 things to look forward to in this upcoming soccer season!

Gabrielle Nordstrom's Top 5:

New This Year: NWSL Rivalry Weekend

The first-ever NWSL Rivalry Weekend is taking place from August 8 to 10, guaranteed to bring an action-packed weekend. One of the most exciting weekends of the NWSL season is here! Make sure to find out when your team is playing.

• August 8: Houston Dash vs North Carolina Courage, Utah Royals vs Kansas City Current

• August 9: Gotham FC vs Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride vs Racing Louisville FC, San Diego FC vs Angel City FC

• August 10: Chicago Stars FC vs Bay FC, Portland Thorns FC vs Seattle Reign FC

San Diego Honors Alex Morgan – 13 is Getting Retired

The iconic number 13 is back at center stage for one more night as the San Diego Wave retires Alex Morgan’s number. Morgan will be honored on September 7, 2025, vs the Houston Dash. She will be the first player in history to be honored by San Diego with a retired number. 

El Clásico is Back

One of the most anticipated games of the year is set: Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Also known as El Clásico, the first matchup of the season will take place on October 26, with Real Madrid hosting on their home turf. Make sure to grab some Barcelona gear or some Real Madrid gear for this upcoming season from Soccer Post!

Champions League

One of the most exciting times of the soccer season is the Champions League. Whether it’s an underdog story, a classic rivalry in the final, or one team crushing all their opponents, it’s always a fun time. Qualifying for non-automatic bids is already underway. 

With PSG coming off a dominant 5-0 win in the 2025 final against Inter Milan, is it too early to say they are the favorites? Although the date is not confirmed, the final is expected to take place in late May or early June. 

NWSL Playoffs On the Horizon

With the second half of the NWSL’s season beginning, playoffs are beginning to creep around the corner. The current top three teams – KC Current, Orlando Pride, and San Diego Wave – look to be almost a lock already, anything can happen. With only eight playoff spots in total, there is a tight race for the last five spots. The playoffs will begin on November 7-9, the semifinals will take place on November 14-16, and the championship will take place on November 22.

Joseph Reina's Top 5:

Open Cup Final

America’s oldest and most storied cup competition has entered its final stages, with the final on October 1 quickly approaching. Three of the four quarterfinals were played on July 8 and 9, but due to treacherous weather conditions in Pennsylvania, the fourth tie between the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls will be played on August 13. After that, the winner will face Nashville SC while Minnesota United takes on Austin FC. The championship will pit the two finalists against each other for a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, so make sure to tune in.

MLS Cup Final/Playoffs

Last season, Inter Miami’s dominance came to a crashing end in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. Messi and friends clinched the Supporters’ Shield with a record 74 points, but fell at the hands of Atlanta United, who managed to win games two and three of their best-of-three series. This season is shaping up to be another thrilling and unpredictable spectacle as the chasing pack continues to close in on Miami, and everyone knows that the MLS Cup final always delivers spectacular action and iconic moments. The playoffs will kick off at the end of October, with the MLS Cup final date to be announced later. 

EPL Boxing Day

The 2025/26 season comes with the wrinkle that the Premier League tradition of Boxing Day (December 26) games is currently not happening, with matches instead scheduled for December 27. However, rest assured, that date has been considered movable by the league. In their schedule announcement, the league said, “matches in round 18 (December 27) are available for movement to Boxing Day for live broadcast selection”, meaning there is still a good chance that we’ll be able to see Chelsea take on Aston Villa, Manchester United face Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace host Tottenham Hotspur among a host of other exhilarating Premier League action.

Ballon d’Or

The world’s most prestigious soccer awards ceremony will take place on Monday, September 22, in Paris, France. Several names announced themselves to the world in 2023, including Lamine Yamal and Désiré Doué, but the favourite to win is 28-year-old Ousmane Dembélé. The PSG attacker bagged 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions as his side claimed the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France titles for the elusive treble. The women’s award is likely to go to either of the past two winners, Alexia Putellas or Aitana Bonmatí, while Arsenal’s attacking duo, Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo, firmly entered the conversation with thoroughly impressive campaigns of their own in 2024/25.

World Cup

It’s impossible to discuss the 25/26 season without mentioning the FIFA World Cup next summer. The tournament, shared between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will welcome 48 teams for the largest edition of the tournament in history. Only 10 nations have qualified so far, joining the three host countries. Many more will be decided in the next few months, with UEFA’s first round ending in November and the official draw taking place in December. The tournament’s official match ball is likely to be announced later this year, and before we know it, the jerseys that live rent-free in our heads will be released. This tournament will be the deciding moment for the next generation of North American soccer at an event that will live long in the memories of soccer fans around the world.