NWSL Becomes First US Pro Sports League to Mandate CPR Training for All Teams

The National Women's Soccer League is launching a league-wide initiative to equip all 16 teams with Hands-Only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator education, becoming the first American professional sports league to mandate such comprehensive training for all players, coaches and staff. The program, led by Angel City FC defender Savy King in partnership with the American Heart Association, aims to empower sports professionals with the confidence to act during cardiac emergencies.

According to the American Heart Association, over half of individuals who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside hospitals don't receive immediate CPR, leading to a 90% fatality rate. Learning Hands-Only CPR takes just 90 seconds and can double or triple survival chances. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized that immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death during sudden cardiac arrest.

The trainings will be conducted during the 2026 preseason, with certified instructors guiding participants through the two-step technique recommended by the American Heart Association: calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman stated that this initiative reflects the league's commitment to player safety, community impact and leadership in health education.

As part of the initiative, the NWSL is launching a player ambassador program featuring one representative from each team who will serve as CPR awareness advocates both on and off the field. The program will be led by King, who founded the Savy King of Hearts foundation to raise awareness about heart health and CPR education. The ambassador program will include social media campaigns and public service announcements throughout the 2026 season.

The American Heart Association, which has been the global leader in CPR for more than 60 years, is pursuing its goal to double survival rates of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030 through its Nation of Lifesavers initiative. The organization provides comprehensive CPR resources at https://www.heart.org/nation. With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests outside hospitals occurring in homes, the knowledge gained through this training could extend beyond the soccer field to save lives in communities nationwide.

The NWSL and American Heart Association have previously collaborated as part of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, advocating for evidence-based public policies to prevent fatal outcomes from cardiac arrest among high school students. According to the Association, more than 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals annually, with about 40% occurring among student-athletes. Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death for student-athletes nationwide. Additional Hands-Only CPR educational materials are available at https://www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.