Discover all the details about the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), set to take place in the United States. This includes details of Teams, Schedule, Format, Standings, Playoffs, tickets, how to watch, & Latest Updates
The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season marks another historic chapter for women’s professional soccer in the United States. Following years of rapid growth, record attendance, and increased global attention, the league continues to feature many of the world’s biggest stars while expanding its international reach.
The 2026 campaign officially kicks off in March 2026 and features 16 clubs, including expansion teams Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, making it the largest season in league history. The regular season concludes in late October before the top teams advance to the NWSL Playoffs and Championship.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a new soccer fan preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup legacy in the United States, here’s everything you need to know about the latest NWSL season.
Gotham FC won the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) championship, defeating the Washington Spirit 1–0 on November 22, 2025, at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
What is the National Women’s Soccer League?
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is the highest level of professional women’s soccer in the United States and one of the strongest women’s leagues in the world.
Founded in 2012, the league began play in 2013 and has grown into a global destination for elite players from the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Many US Women’s National Team stars and international players compete in the NWSL each season, making it one of the most competitive domestic leagues in women’s soccer.
2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Season Overview
| Competition | Details |
|---|---|
| League | National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) |
| Season | 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 16 |
| Country | United States |
| Season Start | March 2026 |
| Regular Season Ends | October 2026 |
| Playoffs | October–November 2026 |
| Championship Match | November 2026 |
| Competition Format | Regular Season + Playoffs |
| Defending Champions | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season continues the league’s rapid expansion while maintaining its balanced regular-season schedule and postseason playoff format.
NWSL 2026 Teams
The league features sixteen clubs.
- Angel City FC
- Bay FC
- Boston Legacy FC
- Chicago Stars FC
- Denver Summit FC
- Houston Dash
- Kansas City Current
- North Carolina Courage
- NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Orlando Pride
- Portland Thorns FC
- Racing Louisville FC
- San Diego Wave FC
- Seattle Reign FC
- Utah Royals FC
- Washington Spirit
Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC make their league debuts, bringing the NWSL to 16 clubs for the first time.
NWSL 2026 Competition Format
The season is divided into two phases.
Regular Season
- Every club plays 30 matches.
- Teams compete both home and away across the season.
- Wins, draws, and losses determine the league standings.
- The club finishing first wins the NWSL Shield.
Playoffs
After the regular season concludes:
- Top eight clubs qualify for the playoffs.
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- NWSL Championship Final
Every playoff match is a single-elimination game, with the league champion crowned in November.
NWSL Challenge Cup
The season traditionally begins with the NWSL Challenge Cup, featuring the defending league champion against the previous season’s Shield winner when applicable.
The match serves as the official curtain-raiser before the regular season begins and is also available through Prime Video in the United States.
Where to Watch NWSL 2026 in the United States
Fans across the United States can watch NWSL matches on multiple broadcast and streaming platforms, including:
- Prime Video
- CBS Sports
- ESPN
- ABC
- ESPN+
- Paramount+
- NWSL+
International television coverage has also expanded across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa for the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season.
Biggest Players to Watch in 2026
Several of the world’s top players are expected to headline the season, including:
- Trinity Rodman
- Sophia Wilson (Smith)
- Mallory Swanson
- Temwa Chawinga
- Barbra Banda
- Marta
- Esther González
- Rose Lavelle
- Croix Bethune
- Alyssa Thompson
These stars are expected to play major roles throughout the season while preparing for future international competitions.
NWSL 2026 Schedule
The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season officially began in March 2026 and will conclude with the NWSL Championship on November 21, 2026. Each club plays 30 regular-season matches, with every team competing for one of eight playoff spots.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NWSL Challenge Cup | February 20, 2026 |
| Regular Season Begins | March 13, 2026 |
| Rivalry Week | July 10–15, 2026 |
| Decision Day | November 1, 2026 |
| Quarterfinals | November 6–8, 2026 |
| Semifinals | November 13–15, 2026 |
| NWSL Championship | November 21, 2026 |
NWSL Standings
Throughout the regular season, clubs earn:
- 3 points for a win
- 1 point for a draw
- 0 points for a loss
| Rank | Club | GP | W-D-L | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Spirit | 15 | 9-3-3 | +12 | 30 |
| 2 | Gotham FC | 15 | 9-3-3 | +9 | 30 |
| 3 | San Diego Wave FC | 16 | 9-2-5 | +6 | 29 |
| 4 | Portland Thorns FC | 16 | 8-3-5 | +7 | 27 |
| 5 | Utah Royals | 15 | 8-3-4 | +6 | 27 |
| 6 | Kansas City Current | 15 | 8-1-6 | +1 | 25 |
| 7 | Angel City FC | 14 | 7-1-6 | +8 | 22 |
| 8 | North Carolina Courage | 14 | 6-3-5 | +1 | 21 |
| 9 | Orlando Pride | 16 | 6-2-8 | 0 | 20 |
| 10 | Denver Summit FC | 14 | 5-4-5 | +2 | 19 |
| 11 | Bay FC | 14 | 5-3-6 | -3 | 18 |
| 12 | Seattle Reign FC | 14 | 5-2-7 | -4 | 17 |
| 13 | Houston Dash | 15 | 4-4-7 | -6 | 16 |
| 14 | Boston Legacy FC | 16 | 4-4-8 | -6 | 16 |
| 15 | Chicago Stars FC | 15 | 4-0-11 | -11 | 12 |
| 16 | Racing Louisville FC | 15 | 2-5-8 | -9 | 11 |
2026 NWSL Top scorers
- Last Update – As of July 18, 2026
| Rank | Player | Country | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbra Banda | Zambia | Orlando Pride | 12 |
| 2 | Ashley Sanchez | United States | North Carolina Courage | 9 |
| 3 | Temwa Chawinga | Malawi | Kansas City Current | 9 |
| 4 | Sophia Wilson | United States | Portland Thorns FC | 7 |
| 5 | Trinity Byars | United States | San Diego Wave FC | 6 |
| 6 | Trinity Rodman | United States | Washington Spirit FC | 6 |
| 7 | Kat Rader | United States | Houston Dash | 6 |
| 8 | Esther González | Spain | Gotham FC | 6 |
| 9 | Janine Sonis | Canada | Denver Summit FC | 6 |
| 10 | Maiara Niehues | Brazil | Angel City FC | 6 |
Stadiums Used in the 2026 NWSL Season
Some of the league’s iconic venues include:
| Club | Stadium |
|---|---|
| Angel City FC | BMO Stadium |
| Bay FC | PayPal Park |
| Boston Legacy FC | Gillette Stadium |
| Chicago Stars FC | SeatGeek Stadium |
| Denver Summit FC | Temporary home venue (2026 inaugural season) |
| Houston Dash | Shell Energy Stadium |
| Kansas City Current | CPKC Stadium |
| North Carolina Courage | First Horizon Stadium |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC | Sports Illustrated Stadium |
| Orlando Pride | Inter&Co Stadium |
| Portland Thorns FC | Providence Park |
| Racing Louisville FC | Lynn Family Stadium |
| San Diego Wave FC | Snapdragon Stadium |
| Seattle Reign FC | Lumen Field |
| Utah Royals FC | America First Field |
| Washington Spirit | Audi Field |
Attendance and League Growth
The NWSL continues to set attendance and fan engagement records.
Highlights include:
- League expanded to 16 clubs.
- Average attendance remains above 11,000 fans per match.
- Broadcast audiences continue to grow across CBS, ESPN, Prime Video, and other partners.
- Merchandise sales and digital engagement have reached new highs during the 2026 season.
Previous NWSL Champions
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Portland Thorns FC |
| 2014 | FC Kansas City |
| 2015 | FC Kansas City |
| 2016 | Western New York Flash |
| 2017 | Portland Thorns FC |
| 2018 | North Carolina Courage |
| 2019 | North Carolina Courage |
| 2020 | Houston Dash (Challenge Cup) |
| 2021 | Washington Spirit |
| 2022 | Portland Thorns FC |
| 2023 | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
| 2024 | Orlando Pride |
| 2025 | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
Players Expected to Shine in 2026
Several of women’s soccer’s biggest stars headline the league:
- Trinity Rodman
- Sophia Wilson
- Temwa Chawinga
- Barbra Banda
- Marta
- Esther González
- Rose Lavelle
- Croix Bethune
- Alyssa Thompson
- Mallory Swanson
These players are among the league’s biggest attractions and are expected to play key roles throughout the season.
Why the NWSL Continues to Grow
The league’s popularity has surged thanks to:
- Expansion into new markets
- Record-breaking attendance
- Increased television coverage
- More international stars
- Greater investment in women’s soccer
- Growing global fan interest ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
How many teams play in the NWSL in 2026?
There are 16 teams, including expansion clubs Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC.
When does the 2026 NWSL season start?
The regular season began on March 13, 2026.
How many games does each team play?
Each club plays 30 regular-season matches.
How many teams qualify for the playoffs?
The top eight teams advance to the NWSL Playoffs.
When is the 2026 NWSL Championship?
The championship is scheduled for November 21, 2026.
Where can fans watch NWSL matches?
Matches are available on CBS, CBS Sports Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Prime Video, Paramount+, and NWSL+, depending on the fixture.
What is the NWSL Shield?
The NWSL Shield is awarded to the club that finishes first in the regular-season standings.
Which country hosts the NWSL?
The National Women’s Soccer League is based in the United States.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season represents another milestone in the rapid growth of women’s professional soccer in the United States. With 16 clubs, a 30-match regular season, expanded national television coverage, world-class talent, and a competitive playoff race, the NWSL continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s premier women’s soccer leagues.
Whether you’re following your favorite club, tracking the playoff race, or watching future international stars develop, the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season promises exciting action from opening weekend through the championship final.
