NWSL schedule features record 248 matches; World Cup has impact

Field Level Media|published: Thu 15th January, 13:32 2026

NWSL: Kansas City Current at Washington Spirit

Sep 30, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of the game ball before the game between Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The 2026 National Women's Soccer League schedule, released on Thursday, includes a record 248 games and the debuts of expansion teams in Boston and Denver.

The now 16-team league launches its 14th season on March 13, with each club playing a balanced 30-game slate of 15 home and 15 away matches.

The expansion Boston Legacy FC will host Gotham FC in their NWSL debut on March 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Denver Summit FC will open up against host Bay FC the same day at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.

Schedule highlights include NWSL Rivalry Week (July 10-15) and the return of Decision Day (Nov. 1), the final day of the regular season when all teams will compete simultaneously for playoff positioning.

There will be no regular-season matches during the month of June due to the FIFA Men's World Cup taking place across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The NWSL also observes a June 8-14 break mandated by the collective bargaining agreement.

The NWSL Challenge Cup will take place on June 26 in Columbus, Ohio, with 2025 league champion Gotham FC taking on the 2025 NWSL Shield winners, the Kansas City Current.

The 2026 NWSL Playoffs begin Nov. 6-8, followed by the Nov. 13-15 semifinals and the Nov. 21 championship game.

--Field Level Media

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