The 2026 NWSL season, featuring 248 matches, will kick off on March 13, as the 2025 runners-up Washington Spirit host Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field.
For this 14th season, two expansion teams—Denver Summit and Boston Legacy—will be joining the league.
Defending champions Gotham FC will begin their season on March 14 against Boston Legacy at Gillette Stadium, while Denver will face Bay FC in their inaugural match. The March 14 schedule features five matches in total.
Gotham FC clinched the 2025 NWSL Championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit, thanks to Rose Lavelle’s goal in the 80th minute before a sold-out crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park. Lavelle was recognized as the tournament’s MVP.
The opening weekend will wrap up on Sunday with matches between Orlando Pride and Seattle Reign FC, alongside Angel City FC versus Chicago Stars FC. Each club will compete in 30 regular-season matches, consisting of 15 home and 15 away games.
Regular-season matches will pause from June 1-28 for a CBA-mandated break from June 8-14, coinciding with the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The league will resume play on July 3, following the conclusion of the World Cup group matches.
The NWSL Challenge Cup, featuring Gotham FC and the 2025 Shield winner, Kansas City Current, will take place on June 26 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, home to the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio—the first time NWSL will be played in that city.
The regular season is set to conclude on November 1, with playoffs scheduled for November 6-8. Semifinals will occur from November 13-15, leading to the 2026 NWSL Championship on November 21.