The 2026 NWSL postseason is almost here, and Gotham FC enters as the No. 1 seed and reigning champion after clinching their first NWSL Shield in club history. Can Gotham defend its title, or will one of their seven challengers take it?
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NWSL Playoffs Schedule, How to Watch & Results
The NWSL playoffs kick off with the quarterfinals November 6-8. The semifinals will be held November 14-15, and the championship is November 21.
Fans can watch 2026 NWSL playoffs live across Prime Video, ABC, CBS, ESPN Unlimited and Paramount+. Spanish-language coverage is also available on ESPN Deportes.
Here’s the complete playoff schedule along with where to watch the games live on TV:
NWSL Quarterfinals: November 6-8
- Fri, Nov. 6, 10 p.m. ET: No. 2 San Diego Wave vs. No. 7 Utah Royals (watch on Prime Video)
- Sat, Nov. 7, 12 p.m. ET: No. 4 Kansas City Current vs. No. 5 Angel City FC (watch on CBS, Paramount+)
- Sun, Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m. ET: No. 1 Gotham FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign (watch on ABC, ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Deportes)
- Sun, Nov. 8, 3 p.m. ET: No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 6 Portland Thorns (watch on ABC, ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Deportes)
NWSL Semifinals: November 14-15
The NWSL semifinals will consist of two games: the winner of the Seed 1 vs. Seed 8 game vs. the winner of the 4 vs. 5 game, and the winner of the 2 vs. 7 game vs. the winner of the 3 vs. 6 game. There is no reseeding, and the higher seed hosts.
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 12 p.m. ET (watch on CBS, Paramount+)
- Sunday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m. ET (watch on ABC, ESPN Unlimited, ESPN Deportes)
NWSL Championship: November 21
The semifinal winners will meet in the 2026 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET. The match will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from Audi Field in Washington, D.C., where the league’s next champion will be crowned.
Check back as we update this post with scores after every round.
2026 NWSL Playoff Picture
Here’s how the league’s top teams finished and their final seeding.
- Gotham FC
- San Diego Wave FC
- Washington Spirit
- Kansas City Current
- Angel City FC
- Portland Thorns FC
- Utah Royals
- Seattle Reign
1. Gotham FC (18-5-7)
The reigning NWSL champions enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed after finishing atop the regular-season standings and claiming their first NWSL Shield. Gotham previously won two NWSL Championships as a lower-seeded playoff team, but this year, they’ll enter the postseason as the team to beat.
Ann-Katrin Berger anchors one of the league’s best defenses, and fans hope to see Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw back on the field after injuries. But injuries to Bruninha and rookie Jordynn Dudley are still a concern, and Jaelin Howell left the regular-season finale with an ankle injury.
2. San Diego Wave FC (18-8-4)
The Wave remained in contention for the NWSL Shield until the final day of the regular season, ultimately finishing second behind Gotham. They enter the playoffs unbeaten in their last five matches.
Kenza Dali co-captains a team with plenty of young attacking talent, including rookie Lia Godfrey and Trinity Byars. The Wave will be without Dudinha, though, who suffered a season-ending knee injury.
3. Washington Spirit (17-9-4)
The Spirit are a threat in every game. Trinity Rodman, Leicy Santos and Sofia Cantore lead the attack, and goalkeeper Sandy MacIver is among the league’s best. If Washington reaches the final, they would be playing for the title at its home stadium, Audi Field.
4. Kansas City Current (16-9-5)
The Current enter the postseason on a five-game win streak. Temwa Chawinga is a proven goalscorer, and Croix Bethune is one of the league’s top playmakers. Under first-year coach Chris Armas, Kansas City is looking to bounce back from a disappointing playoff exit last year.
5. Angel City FC (15-8-7)
Angel City enters the postseason on a ten-match unbeaten streak, capped by a 4-1 victory over Boston on Decision Day. The club changed coaches in June, and interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud has steadied the team. Sveindís Jónsdóttir and Gisele Thompson have been bright spots, and the Angels are a dangerous opponent for anyone.
6. Portland Thorns FC (14-8-8)
Portland comes in with a 2-0 Decision Day win over Houston and plenty of firepower. Sophia Wilson and Pietra Tordin give coach Robert Vilahamn options on attack, although the team will be without Olivia Moultrie due to a season-ending knee injury. Mackenzie Arnold is steady in goal, bringing some additional confidence around the team’s potential.
7. Utah Royals (14-11-5)
Utah was one of the early-season surprises, going unbeaten for 10 straight matches in the spring. Cloé Lacasse leads the attack, while Mandy McGlynn is a reliable keeper. The Royals will be monitoring the fitness of Mina Tanaka, who missed the regular-season finale with a hamstring injury. Utah is on the road after losing on the final day, but the team has already shown it can beat anyone.
8. Seattle Reign (14-11-5)
Seattle squeezed into the final spot with a 1-0 win over Orlando on Decision Day, thanks to a Jordyn Bugg goal. They are a defense-first team with a long list of playoff experience, including veterans Jess Fishlock and Sofia Huerta. The Reign draw the top seed on the road, but a single-elimination bracket gives them a chance.
Playoff Qualification and Format
The top eight teams in the NWSL qualify for the playoffs in order of regular season standings. The quest for the NWSL Championship is a single elimination tournament, with tied matches advancing to extra time consisting of two 15-minute periods and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
The higher-seeded team will host the match in both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. The 2026 championship is set to be played at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Tie-Breaking Procedures
If two or more teams finish the regular season with the same number of points, the tie is broken using the following criteria:
- Goal differential
- Most wins
- Most goals scored
- Head-to-head results (total points accumulated)
- Head-to-head most goals scored
- Least disciplinary points accumulated
- A coin flip for two teams, or a drawing of lots for three or more teams
Watch the NWSL Playoffs on DIRECTV
The postseason excitement kicks off with the 2026 NWSL quarterfinals on November 6, and fans won’t want to miss it! Watch it live across Prime Video, CBS, ABC, Paramount+ and ESPN Unlimited.
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