Reign Extend Jess Fishlock For 2026; Could It Be Her Last Season?
Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock runs during an NWSL Playoffs first round match against the Orlando Pride on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Andrea Vilchez / Reign FC Communications)
While it appeared to be a foregone conclusion, the Seattle Reign extended star midfielder Jess Fishlock for 2026 in a team announcement Monday morning.
Fishlock, 38, tied the team-high in scoring in 2025 with six goals and trailed only league MVP Temwa Chaŵinga with 0.67 goals per 90 minutes. Fishlock was instrumental in swinging enough results to jump the Reign from 13th place in 2024 to fifth this past season. As of 2025, Fishlock is the club’s leader in goal contributions with 78 (48 goals), as she is the final “original” remaining from the club’s 2013 NWSL debut. 2026 will be her 13th season representing the Emerald City.
“I’m not done yet,” Fishlock said in a team press release. “This club means everything to me … and I truly believe in what we’re building here.”
With her longtime running mate in defender Lu Barnes hanging up her cleats after the 2025’s first-round exit to Orlando, Fishlock and NWSL all-time assists leader Sofia Huerta are set to be the veteran voices of a very young team. Fishlock has built a considerable rapport with Rookie-of-the-Year finalist Maddie Dahlien, and her no-nonsense approach to scoring the ball could help mold young prospects at the striker spot like Mia Fishel.
“Jess sees the game at a level that very few players do, and that comes from years of experience at the highest level,” head coach Laura Harvey said in a team press release. “Having her experience and presence in the locker room is invaluable as we push into 2026.”
But given the wear on Fishlock’s treads from long professional and national team careers, 2026 may serve as the legend’s farewell tour.
Fishlock stepped away from Welsh football in October, having guided her nation to its first Euros appearance over the summer. While it’s not a definitive sign of upcoming professional retirement, that announcement was another piece of the puzzle.
Fishlock came off the bench for Seattle nine times in 2025, something she had done just five times combined in the previous 12 seasons. Considering the charismatic midfielder also played under 1,000 minutes in a full NWSL season for the first time as well, it’s fair to say we’re nearing the end.
While we can’t be sure, fans should enjoy a Seattle original like it’s the last time this spring in what could be the final encore of a fantastic career.