Portland Thorns FC
PLAYOFF DATES AND TIMES
The Spirit’s playoff matches will occur on the following dates:
Quarterfinals: Sunday, November 8th at 3 p.m. ET vs Portland Thorns FC
Semifinals: Saturday November 14th or Sunday, November 15th*
*The Spirit will only host a semifinal match if they are the higher seed in their potential semifinal matchup.
PLAYOFF TICKETS
STADIUM SIPS
Get tickets to the Spirit’s quarterfinal match with a 12 oz Heineken included! (must be 21+ with valid ID to redeem)
STANDARD QUARTERFINAL TICKETS
Secure your seats to our home quarterfinal game on November 8!
PREMIUM
Upgrade your playoff matchday with a variety of premium options, including private suites, all-inclusive loge boxes, and more!
GROUPS
Want to bring a group of 10+ to a playoff match? Contact a representative to learn more about how to get the whole group involved!
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2026 NWSL PLAYOFFS
8 Teams. One Bracket.
November 6 – November 21, 2026
The 2026 NWSL Playoffs bring together the league’s top eight teams in a single-elimination bracket, culminating in the 2026 NWSL Championship at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
FORMAT
The top eight teams in the regular-season standings qualify for the playoffs.
Quarterfinal matchups are set by seed: No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, No. 4 vs. No. 5.
Winners advance without reseeding, so each side of the bracket is locked in after the Quarterfinals.
No draws are permitted. Matches tied after 90 minutes go to two 15-minute extra-time periods, then a penalty shootout if still level.
SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals: November 6–8
Semifinals: November 13–15
2026 NWSL Championship: Saturday, November 21, Audi Field
Exact matchups, opponents, and kickoff times will be confirmed once the regular season concludes on Decision Day, Sunday, November 1.
HOSTING
The higher seed hosts in both the Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds. The Championship venue is set in advance each year; Audi Field was awarded the match in June 2026.
HOW TO WATCH
The 2026 NWSL Playoffs air across ESPN/ABC, CBS, and Prime Video. Exact TV schedules will be available once seeding is set. The NWSL Championship will air on CBS for the sixth consecutive year.
CLINCHED TEE ON SALE
Celebrate the Spirit’s 2026 postseason run with the official Clinched Tee, on sale now.
GREEN AND PINK OUT
OUR MOMENT. IN FULL BLOOM. 🌸
Show off your Spirit greens and pinks on Sunday!
Head over to washingtonspiritshop.com for new gear to rep the Spirit at Audi Field and beyond.
On Wednesday, November 4, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge was lit up in Spirit colors to celebrate the start of the playoffs.
Spirit Crew Championship Appearances
Event: NWSL Awards Show
Date: Wednesday, November 18
Location: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Appearance on the blue carpet: 4:00 p.m.
Show starts: 6:30 p.m.
Event: NWSL Skills Challenge
Date: Friday, November 20
Location: 200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302
Event starts: 5:30 p.m.
Event: 5K Race
Date: Saturday, November 21
Location: 760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Race starts: 8:00 a.m.
Event: NWSL Fan Fest
Date: Saturday, November 21
Location: 760 Maine Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20024
Performance: 6:10 p.m.
All single match tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will receive a full refund to the method of payment used to purchase the tickets.
If you purchased a member playoff strip, you may choose between a credit applied toward a 2027 ticket package (full season, half season, mini plan, group or suite) or a full refund to the card on file.
Yes — members get access to discounted parking through two channels:
- Parking pass strips: Available for purchase for Lot 147. If a match isn’t played, any strip you purchased will be refunded to your card on file.
- Single-match parking: Any unclaimed Lot 147 spots will be available to purchase.
Details on single-match parking will be shared closer to matchday.
Yes. The postseason offer is available only for groups of 10 or more and for premium spaces. All group purchases must be made directly through a Spirit representative. A very limited number of Match Day Memories experiences will also be available.
For questions, you can fill out this form, call 202-536-5999, or email tickets@washspirit.com to connect with a member of our team.
REP THE RUN SWEEPSTAKES
Opt-in for our email and SMS notifications and be automatically entered to win a team-signed jersey!
