The National Women’s Soccer League released its 2026 competition schedule on Thursday. There will be a total of 248 matches, including 30 regular-season fixtures for each of the 16 clubs. The seven remaining matches comprise the postseason slate, which starts Nov. 6.
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All 16 clubs are scheduled to play during the opening weekend, starting with Washington Spirit hosting Portland Thorns FC at 8 p.m. ET on March 13.
The league will take an extended break from June 1 to 28, while the United States, Mexico and Canada host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. The break also includes a weeklong CBA-mandated pause.
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March 14 – NJ/NY Gotham FC, the 2025 NWSL champion, will start its season on March 14 against the expansion club Boston Legacy FC. That match will be played at the Legacy’s temporary home, Gillette Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s New England Patriots. The match will be nationally televised on ABC.
The Legacy will play the majority of its home matches at the Foxborough, Mass., venue, while they wait for construction to be completed at White Stadium. The remaining matches will be played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I.
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March 28 – The league’s other newcomer, Denver Summit FC, will start its inaugural campaign on the road against Bay FC. They play their first home match on March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High. The venue is home to the NFL’s Denver Broncos. Summit FC will split the remainder of its matches between Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and Centennial Stadium.
June 26 – The NWSL Challenge Cup, which will feature the Shield-winning Kansas City Current and reigning champion Gotham FC, has been moved from mid-February to June 26. The match will be played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. The match will also be Kansas City’s first chance for revenge against the team that knocked them out of the 2025 Playoffs.
July 15 – Washington will face Gotham in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship during the league’s Rivalry Week. Washington will host the second match on Oct. 17.
How to Watch
Of the 248 matches, 220 will be shown on national platforms.
- Prime Video will air Friday night matches.
- ION will air Saturday night doubleheaders and a weekly studio show.
- CBS Sports platforms will carry regular-season matches.
- ESPN will show matches on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. They will also stream those games on the ESPN App in English and Spanish.
- Victory+ will air a Sunday night showcase and also feature 32 regular-season matches.
- The remaining matches will stream on NWSL+.
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