- Quarterfinals: Nov 6-8 (four matches)
- No. 2 San Diego Wave FC vs. No. 7 Utah Royals; Nov. 6, 10 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
- No. 4 Kansas City Current vs. No. 5 Angel City FC; Nov. 7, 12 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- No. 1 Gotham FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign; Nov. 8, 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN Deportes & ESPN app)
- No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 6 Portland Thorns; Nov. 8, 3 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN Deportes & ESPN app)
- Semifinals: Nov. 13-15 (two matches)
- The higher remaining seed on each side of the bracket will host the other remaining club from the same side of the bracket
- 2026 NWSL Championship: Nov. 21 (one match)
- The final two teams will play at Audi Field at 8 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Why is the 2026 NWSL Championship in Washington, D.C.?
Since the league’s inaugural season in 2013, the championship match has been played at a predetermined venue. On June 3, the NWSL announced this year’s match will be played at Audi Field, the home of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit and MLS club D.C. United. This year will be the first time the championship match will be played on the East Coast since 2022, which was also played at Audi Field.
In addition to the match, multiple events will take place in D.C. during the week leading up to the championship match, including the 2026 NWSL Awards and the NWSL Skills Challenge.
Which teams are in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs?
The first team to clinch a playoff spot was reigning champions Gotham FC, which secured its first-ever NWSL Shield on Decision Day after earning the best regular season record and setting club records in points (61) and wins (18). The defending NWSL champions are heading to their fourth-straight postseason after winning titles in 2023 and 2025.
Other former champions in this year’s playoffs include No. 3 seed Washington Spirit and No. 6 seed Portland Thorns. After winning its first championship in 2021, the Spirit has finished as runners-up in the last two finals. Portland is the winningest NWSL team with three titles (2013, 2017, 2022) and has reached the playoffs every year except once.
San Diego Wave has qualified for the playoffs four times in the last five years, reaching the semifinals twice. Kansas City is making its third consecutive playoff appearance, while Angel City is in the postseason for just the second time. No. 8 seed Seattle is looking for that illustrious first championship in its ninth playoff appearance, finishing as runners-up three times (2014, 2015, 2023). Utah is the only new playoff team, reaching the postseason for the first time in its six years in the league.
| 2026 NWSL Playoffs |
| 1. Gotham FC (61 points, 18-5-7) |
| 2. San Diego Wave FC (58 points, 18-8-4) |
| 3. Washington Spirit (55 points, 17-9-4) |
| 4. Kansas City Current (56 points, 16-9-5) |
| 5. Angel City FC (52 points, 15-8-7) |
| 6.Portland Thorns (50 points, 14-8-8) |
| 7. Utah Royals (47 points, 14-11-5) |
| 8. Seattle Reign (47 points, 14-11-5) |
Who are players to watch in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs?
Three of the league’s top five goal scorers will miss out on this year’s playoffs – Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage, 20 goals), Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, 17 goals) and Janine Sonis (Denver Summit FC, 12 goals) – leaving Portland’s Sophia Wilson (15g/5a) and the Spirit’s Trinity Rodman (12g/8a), who will face off against each other in the Quarterfinals. Also among the league leaders in goal contributions are Utah’s Cloé Lacasse (8g/10a) and Portland’s Pietra Tordin (8g/9a).
Kansas City Current and Angel City FC are tied for the most goals in the league (54), and both teams feature stellar attacking units. Kansas City midfielder Croix Bethune, who recorded a record-breaking 11 assists this season, plays alongside two-time NWSL Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga, Debinha and Haley Hopkins, who have combined for 32 of Kansas City’s goals. Meanwhile, six different ACFC players recorded five or more goals this season, led by Icelandic forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir with 10.
All three goalkeepers who recorded double-digit clean sheets will compete in these playoffs. Washington’s Sandy MacIver recorded a league-high 12 shutouts, while five-foot-11 German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger led the league with a goals-against average of 0.85 to help Gotham record a league-best 23 goals allowed. Angel City’s Angelina Anserson also tallied 10 clean sheets and stopped a pair of penalty kicks.
As for backlines, San Diego’s center back pairing of Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb played all but one minute together this season, while outside backs Mimi Van Zanten and Perle Morroni finished top two in the league in tackles and top three in interceptions. Utah captain Kate Del Fava earned her third-consecutive Iron Woman honor and will bring a veteran presence in the Royals’ first playoff appearance.
How can fans watch and follow along during the postseason?
All matches will stream on Prime Video, Paramount+ and CBS or air live nationally on ABC and ESPN Deportes/ESPN App for unlimited subscribers. Fans can follow along during the postseason on the NWSL website, as well as on Instagram, X/Twitter and Facebook.
