Soccer fans have a different circadian rhythm than others. They're up early to see what's going on in Europe, they're in bed late to follow along with MLS and Liga MX, they reach an emotional peak on Wednesday afternoons and frequently block off entire month-long periods in the summer for international festivals of footie. It's a delicate balance, but the 2023 soccer tournaments calendar is packed with both a Women's World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup to look forward to.
We were supposed to have an Africa Cup of Nations and AFC Asian Cup, but both have been postponed to early 2024.
Here's all the major action between January and December of 2023.
2023 Soccer Tournaments Calendar
January 2023 Soccer Tournaments
Liga MX Clausura begins
Date: Friday, Jan. 6-May 28
What is it: After Pachuca won the Apertura, this season's second championship begins in Mexico.
NWSL Draft
Date: Thursday, Jan. 12
What is it: The league's 12 teams start to either rebuild or reload through the draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
USMNT plays first games since World Cup
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 25-Jan. 28
What is it: The USMNT returns to action with friendlies against Serbia (Jan. 25) and Colombia (Jan. 28) in California.
February 2023 Soccer Tournaments
FIFA Club World Cup
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 1-Feb. 11
What is it: The Club World Cup will be hosted by Morocco with the Seattle Sounders representing Concacaf against Flamengo and Real Madrid.
Women's Champions League quarterfinal draw
Date: Friday, Feb. 10
What is it: The UWCL draw for the last eight.
The Champions League resumes with Round of 16
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 14-June 10
What is it: After a three and a half month hiatus, the UCL resumes. We don't remember a thing either.
MLS opening weekend
Date: Saturday, Feb. 25
What is it: The 28th season begins with 29 clubs now in the league following the addition of St. Louis City SC.
March 2023 Soccer Tournaments
Concacaf Champions League begins
Date: Mar. 7-June 4
What is it: The 15th edition of Concacaf's club championship kicks off — the Seattle Sounders aren't around to defend their title, but we have interesting debutants in Orlando City, Austin FC and Atlas.
73rd FIFA Congress
Date: Thursday, Mar. 16
What is it: The congress in the Rwandan capital of Kigali will likely see Gianni Infantino re-elected, and we'll learn more about the 2026 World Cup in USA/Mexico/Canada.
USMNT resumes Nations League play
Date: Friday, Mar. 24-Mar. 27
What is it: The USMNT resumes its Nations League campaign with a trip to Grenada (Mar. 24) followed by a home match against El Salvador (Mar. 27) with the location unconfirmed. Elsewhere, Mexico plays Suriname and Jamaica, while Canada faces Curaçao and Honduras.
NWSL season begins
Date: Saturday, Mar. 25-Nov. 11
What is it: The 11th season of the top division of women's soccer in the United States starts with 22 games for all 12 teams.
April 2023 Soccer Tournaments
Concacaf Gold Cup draw
Date: Friday, Apr. 14
What is it: The final draw for the 16-team Gold Cup.
May 2023 Soccer Tournaments
FIFA U-20 World Cup begins
Date: Saturday, May 20-June 11
What is it: The 23rd edition of the U-20 international championship. The tournament will be hosted by Indonesia with next generation United States stars competing.
Liga MX Clausura Final
Date: Thursday, May 25-May 28
What is it: The two legs of the championship match.
Final Premier League fixtures
Date: Sunday, May 28
What is it: The final day of matches in the EPL with every kick-off happening simultaneously.
UEFA Europa League Final
Date: Wednesday, May 31
What is it: Europe's secondary club tournament hits a crescendo at Puskás Aréna Park in Budapest.
June 2023 Soccer Tournaments
FA Cup Final
Date: Saturday, June 3
What is it: The 142nd edition of the world's oldest football tournament reaches its completion at Wembley.
UEFA Women's Champions League Final
Date: Sunday, June 4
What is it: Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands hosts the showpiece event of the women's club game.
Concacaf Champions League Final
Date: Sunday, June 4
What is it: Time to crown a new champion.
UEFA Conference League Final
Date: Wednesday, June 7
What is it: Europe's third-tier club competitions ends with the final at Fortuna Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
UEFA Champions League Final
Date: Saturday, June 10
What is it: The UCL final at Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Final
Date: Sunday, June 11
What is it: The final of the U-20 international championship at 77,193-seat Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta, Indonesia.
UEFA Nations League Final
Date: Sunday, June 18
What is it: The third final of Europe's
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Date: June 24-July 16
What is it: The 17th edition of Concacaf's regional championship with the USMNT serving as the defending champions.
July 2023 Soccer Tournaments
CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
Date: Sunday, July 16
What is it: The final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
FIFA Women's World Cup begins
Date: Thursday, July 20-Aug. 20
What is it: The ninth edition of the women's international championship.
Leagues Cup begins
Date: Friday, July 21-Aug. 19
What is it: The Leagues Cup is back and it's bigger and better than ever with every team from both MLS and Liga MX (47 total) competing.
August 2023 Soccer Tournaments
Premier League begins
Date: Saturday, Aug. 12-May 19
What is it: The EPL finally resumes normalcy for the 2023-24 season after the disruptions of Covid-19 and the Qatar World Cup.
Leagues Cup Final
Date: Saturday, Aug. 19
What is it: The third edition of the Leagues Cup finishes with a grand finale.
FIFA Women's World Cup Final
Date: Sunday, Aug. 20
What is it: The final at the 81,500-seat Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
September 2023 Soccer Tournaments
September 2023 Soccer Tournaments
NWSL Challenge Cup Final
Date: Saturday, Sep. 9
What is it: The fourth edition of the tournament, now running concurrently with the season as a league cup competition (hopefully an "open" one soon enough), reaches its climax. The North Carolina Courage are the defending champs.
Champions League group stage begins
Date: Tuesday, Sep. 19-June 1
What is it: The new season of the Champions League begins with the 2023-24 final taking place at Wembley in London.
October 2023 Soccer Tournaments
November 2023 Soccer Tournaments
Copa Libertadores Final
Date: Saturday, Nov. 11
What is it: The final of the 64th edition of South America's club championship.
MLS Cup Final
Date: TBD
What is it: There's still much to be determined with the MLS Cup Playoffs rumored to change.
December 2023 Soccer Tournaments