Spring is a time for college soccer teams to refine their physical and technical skills. Teams are given a specific window for a spring season in which they can practice for the next regular season in the fall. When is college soccer spring season, and how long is it?
College soccer spring season starts February 1 for Division 3 and February 15 for Division 1 and 2 teams. The spring season ends for Division 3 teams at least five weekdays before the institution’s finals period starts. For Divisions 1 and 2, the spring season ends seven calendar days before finals week. The season is 11-13 weeks, on average.
I’ll discuss some specific start and end dates for the college soccer spring season in detail throughout the rest of the article.
Related: When is College Soccer Season? Fall and Spring Rules
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When is college soccer spring season?
The spring season starts in February, but each division has different rules to follow. When exactly is the college soccer spring season for Division 1, 2, and 3 teams?
The college soccer spring season starts on February 15 for Division 1 and 2 teams and must end at least seven days before finals week. Division 3 teams can start their spring season on February 1 and must finish no later than five weekdays before the institution’s designated finals week.
Although Divison 3 teams have a more extended spring season, they are allowed fewer training sessions and games within the spring season.
Division 1 and 2 teams can participate in five scheduled games during the spring season, whereas Division 3 teams can only play one 90-minute or less organized match during the spring.
As for practices, Division 1 and 2 are allowed to train up to five days a week for a total of eight hours. Only four of those eight total hours are permitted to be coach-supervised. Coaches include the head coach, any assistant coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches.
Related: When is College Soccer Preseason? Division 1, 2, and 3 Rules
Starting in 2024, Division 3 college soccer teams will be allowed 24 training days during the designated spring season. Teams may have no more than four training days per week.
Before 2024, Division 3 teams were only allowed 16 training days to use during a five-week period. Now, the 24 training days can be used any day except Sundays, and coaches must give the team at least three days off in the same week.
Spring season training is also the time when many schools hold open tryouts for players interested in walking onto the team.
If you’re interested, read my article that discusses in-depth how to walk onto a college soccer team, with real experiences from a Division 3 college soccer coach.
Division 1 college soccer spring season start and end dates
Division 1 college soccer teams see a shorter spring season than Division 3 teams but are allowed to hold more training sessions. When does the spring season start and end?
Division 1 college soccer spring season starts on February 15 and ends no later than seven days before the institution’s finals week. For example, if finals week begins on a Monday, then the last spring season practice must occur before the preceding Monday.
Division 2 college soccer spring season start and end dates
Division 2 teams have the same ramifications as Division 1 teams regarding preseason start and end dates.
Division 2 college soccer spring season starts February 15 and ends seven days or one week before the institution’s finals week starts. The last spring season practice must happen no later than one week before the first day of finals.
Division 3 college soccer spring season start and end dates
Division 3 soccer teams have a longer spring season but a stricter schedule. When does the spring season start and end?
Division 3 college soccer spring season starts February 1 and ends five weekdays before the institution’s finals week. The 24th training day or last spring season practice, whichever comes first, must occur at least five weekdays before the first day of finals.
Division 3 teams have a total of 24 training days to use throughout the spring season, starting in 2024.
Here’s a table regarding some general spring season rules for each division in college soccer:
| Rule | Division I | Division II | Division III |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | February 15 | February 15 | February 1 |
| End date | Seven calendar days before finals week | Seven calendar days before finals week | Five weekdays before finals week |
| Total number of days allowed to train | Unlimited (minimum two days off per week) | Unlimited (minimum two days off per week) | 24 days; no more than four training days per week |
| Hours per week of coach-supervised soccer practice | Four hours | Four hours | Undefined |
| Total hours per week | Eight hours | Eight hours | Undefined |
| Number of allowed games | Five games | Five games | One game |
How long is the college soccer spring season?
Overall, the spring season starts and ends at different times for Division 1, 2, and 3 teams. Although Division 3 teams have the longest season, they have the least amount of eligible time to spend training together.
The college soccer season is 11 weeks long on average for Division 1 and 2 teams and 13 weeks on average for Division 3 teams. The length of the spring season depends on the division in which the institution is and the start date of finals week.
Division 1 and 2 college soccer teams can start spring training on February 15 each year. Division 3 teams can start as early as February 1 but are permitted fewer training days overall than Division 1 and 2 programs.
Related: How Long is College Soccer Season?
Division 1 and 2 teams must finish spring season training no later than seven calendar days before the start of finals. Division 3 teams must complete the spring season at least five weekdays before finals.