NWSL: 2024 schedule, key dates, teams, how to watch & streaming

All you need to know about the National Women's Soccer League, including 2024 schedule and key dates, list of teams, how to watch and stream, and more.

The NWSL is the top professional women's soccer league in the United States, and features many of the USWNT's top players.

With the 2024 season beginning in March, we've covered what you need to know ahead of the league's 12th season.

NWSL 2024 schedule

The 2024 NWSL season will span from March to November, with 14 teams each playing a 26-match schedule.

Each team will face each other twice, once at home and once on the road, before the end of the regular season.

Eight teams then earn qualification to the 2024 NWSL Playoffs, beginning in November, up to the NWSL Championship on November 23.

NWSL 2024 key dates

2024 NWSL Challenge Cup	March 15
2024 NWSL Season start	March 16
Mandated league break	July 8-14
Break from league play (Paris Olympics)	July 15 - August 18
2024 NWSL Playoffs start	November 9
Quarterfinals	November 9-10
Semifinals	November 16-17
2024 NWSL Championship	November 23

What is the NWSL Challenge Cup?

The NWSL Challenge Cup is a match that takes place before the start of the regular season. This match is played between the reigning NWSL Champion and the current NWSL Shield Holders (the team with the best regular season record the previous season). 

In the event that the reigning NWSL Champion and the NWSL Shield Holder are the same team, the Challenge Cup will be a rematch of the NWSL Championship game from the previous season.

The 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup will be played on March 15th between the NJ/NY Gotham FC (Reigning NWSL Champion) and the San Diego Wave (Current NWSL Shield Holder).

List of NWSL teams

The NWSL is made up of 14 teams, expanded from the 12-team league in 2023.

·         Angel City FC
·         Bay FC (Expansion Team)
·         Chicago Red Stars
·         Houston Dash
·         Kansas City Current
·         NJ/NY Gotham FC
·         North Carolina Courage
·         Orlando Pride
·         Portland Thorns FC
·         Racing Louisville
·         Seattle Reign FC
·         Utah Royals (Rejoining the NWSL)
·         Washington Spirit

How to watch NWSL, TV channel and streaming

The following channels and streaming services will broadcast the 2024 NWSL season: 

·         ABC
·         Amazon Prime
·         CBS
·         Paramount+
·         CBS Sports Network
·         ESPN/ESPN+
·         ESPN2
·         ION
·         NWSL+

Who won the NWSL in 2023?

NJ/NY Gotham FC won the NWSL Championship in 2023, defeating the Seattle Reign by a score of 2-1. Lynn Williams and Esther Gonzalez scored for NJ/NY Gotham FC, while Rose Lavelle scored for the Seattle Reign.

NWSL Best Players

The 2023 NWSL season featured a ton of top level talent and below we have highlighted some of the best players from last season:

Sophia Smith - Portland Thorns FC

Sophia Smith has quickly emerged as one of the top players in the NWSL, as well as the US National Team. She led the NWSL last season with 11 goals, while also providing five assists.

Kerolin - North Carolina Courage

Kerolin was also one of the top players in the NWSL last season, scoring 10 times, which was the second best in the league. 

Debinha - Kansas City Current

Rounding out the top three in scoring during the 2023 season was Debinha, who scored a total of nine goals.

Sam Coffey - Portland Thorns FC

Sam Coffey, also one of the league’s top players in 2023, led the NWSL with eight assists. 

Jane Campbell - Houston Dash

The league’s best Goalie in 2023 was Jane Campbell, who made 91 saves and had a total of eight shutouts.