NWSL Playoffs 2026: Schedule, Bracket, and How to Watch

The 2026 NWSL playoffs are underway, and eight teams are fighting for the championship. Gotham FC enter the postseason as the top seed after winning their first NWSL Shield, while the Utah Royals are playing in the playoffs for the first time in club history. Here is the full schedule, the bracket, how the playoffs work, and where to watch every game.

How the NWSL playoffs work

Eight teams qualified for the 2026 NWSL playoffs. The format is simple: single elimination, so one loss ends a team’s season. The higher-seeded team hosts each match through the quarterfinals and semifinals, and there is no reseeding after the first round. The winner of the No. 1 vs. No. 8 quarterfinal plays the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 quarterfinal in the semifinals, while the winner of No. 2 vs. No. 7 meets the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6. The two semifinal winners then meet in the NWSL Championship.

The 2026 NWSL playoff bracket

Here are the eight teams that made the playoffs, in seed order:

• No. 1 Gotham FC (18-7-5, 61 points) — the defending champions, who won their first NWSL Shield on Decision Day with a 2-0 win over Utah.
• No. 2 San Diego Wave FC (18-4-8, 58 points)
• No. 3 Washington Spirit (17-4-9, 55 points)
• No. 4 Kansas City Current (16-5-9, 53 points)
• No. 5 Angel City FC (15-7-8, 52 points)
• No. 6 Portland Thorns FC (14-8-8, 50 points)
• No. 7 Utah Royals (14-5-11, 47 points) — the Royals reached the postseason for the first time in club history.
• No. 8 Seattle Reign FC (14-5-11, 47 points) — Seattle clinched its ninth playoff berth in club history with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride on Decision Day.

Gotham’s rise to the top seed is the big story of the postseason. The club won two NWSL Championships as a lower seed in past years, but this is the first time they have gone into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed and Shield winners.

Quarterfinal schedule: November 6-8

All four quarterfinals take place this weekend:

• Friday, November 6, 10 p.m. ET: No. 2 San Diego Wave vs. No. 7 Utah Royals at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego — Prime Video. The playoffs opened with this one, Utah’s first-ever postseason game.
• Saturday, November 7, 12 p.m. ET: No. 4 Kansas City Current vs. No. 5 Angel City FC at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City — CBS and Paramount+.
• Sunday, November 8, 12:30 p.m. ET: No. 1 Gotham FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey — ABC, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Unlimited.
• Sunday, November 8, 3 p.m. ET: No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 6 Portland Thorns at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. — ABC, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Unlimited.

Semifinals: November 14-15

The two semifinal matches are played on the weekend of November 14-15. The first semifinal is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at 12 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+. The second semifinal follows on Sunday, November 15. The winners of the two semifinals advance to the championship game.

NWSL Championship: November 21

The 2026 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, will be played on Saturday, November 21 at 8 p.m. ET at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The match will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

How to watch the NWSL playoffs

Playoff games are split across several channels and streaming services this year:

• Prime Video: the Friday night quarterfinal (San Diego vs. Utah).
• CBS and Paramount+: the Saturday quarterfinal (Kansas City vs. Angel City), one semifinal, and the championship game.
• ABC, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Unlimited: both Sunday quarterfinals and one semifinal.

Six of the seven playoff games are on free over-the-air television (ABC or CBS), so most fans can watch without a paid subscription if they get those channels. For the full schedule and any late changes, the league’s official playoff page is the best place to check: NWSL playoffs on nwslsoccer.com.

Frequently asked questions

When do the 2026 NWSL playoffs start?

The quarterfinals began on Friday, November 6, with San Diego Wave hosting Utah Royals. The semifinals are November 14-15, and the championship is Saturday, November 21.

Who is the top seed in the 2026 NWSL playoffs?

Gotham FC are the No. 1 seed after winning their first NWSL Shield with 61 points. They are also the defending champions.

How many teams make the NWSL playoffs?

Eight teams qualify. The format is single elimination, with the higher seed hosting each game until the championship, which is played at a neutral venue.

Where is the 2026 NWSL Championship?

The final is at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, November 21 at 8 p.m. ET. It airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+.

Which teams are in the NWSL playoffs for the first time?

The Utah Royals are making their first-ever playoff appearance. Seattle Reign, by contrast, are in the postseason for the ninth time in club history.