The 2026 NWSL Season: What to Expect

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has revealed its schedule for the 2026 season. This year promises to be exciting, with a lot of action and big matches. The league is growing, and more people are watching and attending games. This season will have 30 matches for each team, with 15 home and 15 away games. The season kicks off on March 13, with all 16 teams playing over the opening weekend. The first match will be between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns FC. There will be many matches on TV, including on Prime Video, ION, CBS Sports, and ESPN. Fans can watch games in English and Spanish.There will be a break in June because of the FIFA Men’s World Cup. The NWSL Challenge Cup will happen on June 26 in Columbus, Ohio. This is a big deal because it’s the first time NWSL action will be in Columbus. The match will be streamed on Prime Video. Rivalry Week is set for July 10-15, with some big matches like Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current and Seattle Reign FC vs. Portland Thorns FC. The season ends on November 1 with Decision Day, where all teams play at the same time to decide who makes the playoffs. The playoffs start on November 6-8, with the championship on November 21. The championship will be on CBS and Paramount+. The host site for the championship is still being decided.