Reign’s Jess Fishlock to Retire After 2026 Season

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Jess Fishlock on the pitch during the Reign’s 0-0 draw against the Denver Summit on April 4, 2026. Image credit: Maddy Grassy/Seattle Reign FC. [/caption]

Jess Fishlock announced her retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2026 season on Tuesday morning. The 39-year-old Seattle Reign legend has been with the team since the NWSL’s start in 2013, making her the last remaining Reign original after Lauren “Lu” Barnes retired at the end of the 2025 season.

The move comes after Fishlock made the tough decision to retire from the Welsh national team following a run at the 2025 Euros — its first in women’s soccer. She retired as Wales’ all-time leading scorer and a national icon of the women’s game.

Fishlock is the club’s all-time leading goal contributor with 79 and its assist leader with 30. She needs three more regular-season goals to pass Megan Rapinoe’s mark of 51.

The Welsh midfielder has been a part of all three of Seattle’s NWSL Shield wins, despite loans with French side Lyon (2018-19) and English side Reading (2020-21), among others. Fishlock even stood out on a team with Rapinoe and Barnes, winning the 2021 MVP award in a nine-goal-contribution campaign. Fishlock’s 219 total appearances place her second in NWSL history.

Given that Fishlock has experience as a player-coach for Melbourne City and Cardiff City, a managerial career could be next in the cards for the midfielder.

For now, with a young team looking to build on a fifth-place finish in 2025, Fishlock has her squad off to a great start at 3-1-1 (third in NWSL) as the international break comes to a close. The Reign will have their first game of the season at Lumen Field on Sunday against the Utah Royals as Fishlock continues what has become her final pursuit of an NWSL title.

The team will host a night to celebrate Fishlock on Oct. 2 during its Queen’s Match festivities.