The 2026 NWSL 248-match season kicks off on March 13 when 2025 season runners-up Washington Spirit host Portland Thorns FC at Audi Area.
Two growth golf equipment, Denver Summit and Boston Legacy, be a part of the league for this 14th season.
Defending champions Gotham FC get their season underway March 14 vs. Boston Legacy at Gillette Stadium. Denver journey to Bay FC for his or her first match. The March 14 slate encompasses a whole of 5 video games.
Gotham FC gained the 2025 NWSL Championship with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit. Gotham midfielder Rose Lavelle scored the winner within the eightieth minute in entrance of an introduced sellout crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park. Lavelle was match MVP.
Opening weekend concludes Sunday with Orlando Satisfaction vs. Seattle Reign FC and Angel Metropolis FC vs. Chicago Stars FC. Every membership will compete in 30 common season matches, with 15 residence and 15 away fixtures.
No common season matches might be staged from June 1-28 because the league will pause play for a CBA-mandated break from June 8-14 and for the rest of the month whereas the 2026 FIFA males’s World Cup is performed throughout america, Mexico and Canada.
The league will return to common season play on July 3 following the conclusion of the World Cup group stage.
The NWSL Problem Cup, that includes Gotham FC and 2025 NWSL Defend winner Kansas Metropolis Present, might be performed on June 26 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Area, residence of the Columbus Crew, in Columbus, Ohio, marking the primary time the NWSL performs in that metropolis.
The common season ends on Nov. 1 and playoffs are set to star Nov. 6-8. Semifinal matches are scheduled for Nov. 13-15, and the 2026 NWSL Championship might be performed on Nov. 21.
