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2026 NWSL Playoffs: Teams, Dates, and Kickoff Times for Postseason Battles

The 2026 NWSL regular season wrapped up, setting the stage for the three-round dash to the Championship. The playoff lineup is set, with Gotham FC claiming the NWSL Shield as the top regular-season team. Their No. 1 seed grants them home field advantage throughout the postseason.

Seattle Reign clinched the final playoff spot, edging out North Carolina Courage by two points. The Courage held strong for much of the season but faltered late, dropping five of their last seven matches.

Below is a full guide to the 2026 NWSL playoffs, featuring key dates, teams, matchups, venues, and broadcast info.

Playoff Schedule

  • Quarterfinals: Friday, Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 8
  • Semifinals: Friday, Nov. 13 – Sunday, Nov. 15
  • Final: Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. ET

Teams That Qualified for the 2026 Playoffs

After 30 intense games, the top eight clubs advanced to the playoffs, while the rest were eliminated.

  • Position: 1 Club: Gotham FC Points: 61 GP: 30 W-D-L: 18-7-5 Goal Difference: +16
  • Position: 2 Club: San Diego Wave Points: 58 GP: 30 W-D-L: 18-4-8 Goal Difference: +14
  • Position: 3 Club: Washington Spirit Points: 55 GP: 30 W-D-L: 17-4-9 Goal Difference: +15
  • Position: 4 Club: Kansas City Current Points: 53 GP: 30 W-D-L: 16-5-9 Goal Difference: +15
  • Position: 5 Club: Angel City FC Points: 52 GP: 30 W-D-L: 15-7-8 Goal Difference: +22
  • Position: 6 Club: Portland Thorns Points: 50 GP: 30 W-D-L: 14-8-8 Goal Difference: +9
  • Position: 7 Club: Utah Royals Points: 47 GP: 30 W-D-L: 14-5-11 Goal Difference: +5
  • Position: 8 Club: Seattle Reign Points: 47 GP: 30 W-D-L: 14-5-11 Goal Difference: +4

Teams That Missed the Playoffs

  • Position: 9 Club: North Carolina Courage Points: 45 GP: 30 W-D-L: 14-3-13 Goal Difference: +10
  • Position: 10 Club: Denver Summit Points: 41 GP: 30 W-D-L: 11-8-11 Goal Difference: +11
  • Position: 11 Club: Orlando Pride Points: 36 GP: 30 W-D-L: 11-3-16 Goal Difference: -8
  • Position: 12 Club: Houston Dash Points: 33 GP: 30 W-D-L: 9-6-15 Goal Difference: -6
  • Position: 13 Club: Boston Legacy Points: 33 GP: 30 W-D-L: 9-6-15 Goal Difference: -12
  • Position: 14 Club: Bay FC Points: 27 GP: 30 W-D-L: 7-6-17 Goal Difference: -17
  • Position: 15 Club: Racing Louisville Points: 24 GP: 30 W-D-L: 7-3-20 Goal Difference: -24
  • Position: 16 Club: Chicago Stars Points: 17 GP: 30 W-D-L: 5-2-23 Goal Difference: -54

2026 NWSL Playoff Matchups

  • Date: Fri, Nov. 6 Time (ET): 10 p.m. Match: San Diego Wave vs. Utah Royals Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA Broadcast: Prime Video
  • Date: Sat, Nov. 7 Time (ET): 12 p.m. Match: Kansas City Current vs. Angel City FC Location: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO Broadcast: CBS, Fubo, Paramount+
  • Date: Sun, Nov. 8 Time (ET): 12:30 p.m. Match: Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ Broadcast: ABC, ESPN Select, Fubo
  • Date: Sun, Nov. 8 Time (ET): 3 p.m. Match: Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C. Broadcast: ABC, ESPN Select, Fubo
  • Matches: Winner of Gotham/Seattle vs. Winner of Kansas City/Angel City
  • Matches: Winner of San Diego/Utah vs. Winner of Washington/Portland
  • Dates and times: To be determined
  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
  • Match: TBD vs. TBD
  • Location: TBD
  • Broadcast: CBS, Paramount+, Fubo

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