NWSL to Kick Off 2027 Season in February for World Cup

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) will begin its 2027 season on February 11, the earliest start in league history, with the Challenge Cup opening on February 6. The schedule shift is designed to accommodate the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, during which the league will pause from June 24 to July 25.

Commissioner Jessica Berman said the league aims to “be part of the lead‑in and the lead‑out of that big moment,” and will align the opening week with Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles, working closely with broadcast partners ESPN and ABC to weave NWSL stories into the weekend coverage. Playoffs are set for November 5 with the championship on November 20. While Major League Soccer will move to a summer‑to‑spring calendar, the NWSL will remain on a spring‑to‑fall schedule through at least 2030.