NWSL 2023 schedule: Regular season, Challenge Cup dates, times, how to watch, biggest matches and more

The National Women’s Soccer League released its official schedule on Wednesday. The full schedule features dates for the entire year and includes the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup and the regular season format. The regular season begins on March 25 with full broadcast details to be announced at a later date. Fans can watch NWSL matches on Paramount+ and CBS Sports platforms.

Opening day kicks off with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25 with North Carolina Courage vs. Kansas City Current at 2 p.m. ET, and a quarterfinal rematch as San Diego Wave FC host the Chicago Red Stars at 10 p.m. ET. The opening weekend will close with a quadruple-header as the Washington Spirit face OL Reign, Portland Thorns FC meet the Orlando Pride, Houston Dash face Racing Louisville FC, and Angel City FC vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC.

The full schedule features 168 games over a 26-week period. There are no mid-week regular season matches and a break within the season for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In a major change from previous seasons the the Challenge Cup will happen concurrent to the regular season and despite the break in regular season play, will also continue during the World Cup. The competition begins April 19 and will feature midweek matches while running alongside the regular season and weekend games during the World Cup regular season break.

The regular season ends on October 15, and the playoffs will begin on October 22 with a quarterfinal round. The semifinals start on November 4, and the playoffs conclude with the 2023 NWSL Championship on November 11.  

Schedule arrives 45 days before regular season kicks off

The league previously announced a scheduled framework in November, but the full schedule arrives just 44 days ahead of the regular season. An earlier release of the schedule has been an issue for the NWSL in the past, and this year’s announcement comes just one day earlier than last year’s regular season schedule. The league teased the schedule announcement on social media, with NWSL Commissioner Berman acknowledging the tardiness. 

“Grateful that this day is finally upon us…there are not enough words permitted on Twitter to explain “the why” but it doesn’t much matter — fact is, it took too long. Thank you for your passion and for holding us accountable. We will do better.”

Dates to keep an eye on

Opening weekend will bring lots of excitement as Brazilian international Debhina returns to North Carolina. The midfielder was considered the biggest free agent target during the offseason, and after six seasons and multiple titles with the Courage, she is now with the Kansas City Current. The Current made major headlines during their offseason with multiple transactions in free agency, trades, and the NWSL draft, and Debinha’s departure to Kansas City marked an end of an era for the Courage.

The Challenge Cup begins in April and is now in its fourth year. The annual competition has gone through different variations over the last three editions, moving from a stand-alone tournament in 2020 to a scheduled competition between preseason and the regular season. The Challenge Cup will now take place throughout the regular season, with 12 clubs divided into three groups playing double round-robin matches. The final four teams will compete in the semifinals on September 6, and the two finalists will compete in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on September 9. Winners will claim the cup, bragging rights, and a bonus pool among the players.

A possible decision day

In 2021 the league expanded the NWSL playoff format from a two-round arrangement with four teams to a three-round format with six teams. The inclusion of a quarterfinal round has allowed for more competition for playoff spots. Over the last two seasons, the playoff race has gone down the wire, coming down to the final match weekend of games to determine the final six-team playoff picture. The league may now have its own variation of a “Decision Day,” with all 12 teams scheduled to conclude their regular season on Sunday, October 15. This is the first time in NWSL history, all 12 teams will compete on the final day of the regular season. 

NWSL 2023 regular season schedule

March

April

May

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

October

NWSL Challenge Cup schedule