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Annual Challenge Cup to take place on February 20, regular season to kick off March 13
Washington, D.C. (07/02/2025) – The 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season will kick off with the annual Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f. on Friday, February 20 and conclude with the NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 21, the league announced today.
Three weeks after the Challenge Cup, the 2026 regular season will begin on Friday, March 13. With two new clubs joining the NWSL next season, the regular season will expand by four matches per team to ensure a balanced home and away schedule. Each team will play 30 regular season matches, hosting and visiting the other 15 clubs once apiece. The NWSL will continue to break from regular season play during international competition windows as well to allow players to compete for both club and country. This year’s league-wide players’ week off will run from Monday, June 1 through Sunday, June 7.
With seven NWSL markets and two NWSL venues set to host matches during the upcoming 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the league is taking a proactive approach to minimize scheduling conflicts between regular season play and the marquee global tournament. The NWSL will break from regular season play in June through World Cup group play and the first round of the knockout stage.
Key Dates
- Friday, February 20: 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f.
- Friday, March 13: 2026 regular season kicks off
- Monday, June 1 – Sunday, June 7: league-wide players’ week off
- June: league-wide break from regular season play
- Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1: regular season concludes
- Saturday, November 21: 2026 NWSL Championship
The NWSL will announce its full 2026 regular season schedule and broadcast details closer to the start of the season. Next season will be the third of the league’s historic four-year broadcast rights deals with CBS, ESPN/ABC, Prime Video and Scripps and feature over 120 nationally broadcast matches.
Fans’ next chance to see their favorite Spirit players in action will be at the team’s Open Training event later this month. Taking place on Saturday, July 19 at George Mason University, fans are invited to come out and watch as the team gears up for the second half of the season. Limited tickets are available here. The Spirit will take the pitch at home again on Sunday, August 3 following the NWSL’s July break. Facing off against Portland Thorns FC, the Spirit will host its first-ever Throwback Day at Audi Field. Single match tickets are available here.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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