NWSL 2026 season: Viewing options and soccer timetable on ESPN
The NWSL is returning.
ESPN will commence its coverage of the 2026 NWSL season on Friday with a special edition of “Futbol W,” a weekly program focused on women’s professional soccer. This one-hour season preview will be broadcast on ESPN2 and will include insights from former U.S. women’s national team players Crystal Dunn and Ali Krieger, alongside ESPN.com’s Jeff Kassouf and host Cristina Alexander.
The 2026 NWSL season will introduce the Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, expanding the league to 16 teams. Gotham FC, the current NWSL champions, will initiate their title defense against Boston on Saturday on ABC.
Here are important details regarding ESPN’s coverage of the 2026 NWSL season:
When does the season start?
The 2026 NWSL season begins on Friday. ESPN’s coverage kicks off with the “Futbol W” season preview show at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
How can fans view the matches?
Fans can follow all the action through the ESPN App and the NWSL streaming hub.
What is the game schedule on ESPN’s networks?
ESPN’s game coverage starts on Saturday with Boston Legacy FC facing defending NWSL champions Gotham FC at 12:45 p.m. ET on ABC, Disney+, and the ESPN App. Pregame coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Complete schedule
*All times Eastern
Saturday
12:30 p.m.: Boston Legacy FC vs. Gotham FC on ABC
March 22
2 p.m.: Chicago Stars FC vs. Kansas City Current on ESPN2
March 28
Noon: Boston Legacy FC vs. Utah Royals on ESPN2
April 5
5 p.m.: Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit on ESPN2
April 26
6 p.m.: Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC on ESPN Networks
May 3
1 p.m.: Chicago Stars FC vs. Portland Thorns FC on ESPN Networks
May 10
12:30 p.m.: Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Stars FC on ESPN networks
May 17
6 p.m.: Portland Thorns FC vs. Angel City FC on ESPN networks
May 24
5 p.m.: Bay FC vs. Chicago Stars FC on ESPN networks
May 31
3 p.m.: Gotham FC vs. Houston Dash on ESPN networks
July 5
Noon: Boston Legacy FC vs. Bay FC on ESPN networks
July 12
4 p.m.: Seattle Reign FC vs. Portland Thorns FC on ESPN networks
July 18
Noon: Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign FC on ABC
July 26
9 p.m.: Angel City FC vs. Racing Louisville FC on ESPN networks
Aug. 2
9 p.m.: Denver Summit FC vs. Boston Legacy FC on ESPN networks
Aug. 9
9 p.m.: Seattle Reign FC vs. Angel City FC on ESPN networks
Aug. 16
9 p.m.: Angel City FC vs. Washington Spirit on ESPN networks
Aug. 23
4 p.m.: Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride on ESPN networks
Aug. 30
12:30 p.m.: Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC on ESPN networks
Sept. 6
9 p.m.: Seattle Reign FC vs. San Diego Wave FC on ESPN networks
Sept. 13
1 p.m.: Washington Spirit vs. Boston Legacy FC on ESPN networks
Sept. 20
5 p.m.: Chicago Stars FC vs. Washington Spirit on ESPN networks
Sept. 27
5 p.m.: Bay FC vs. Orlando Pride on ESPN networks
Oct. 4
Noon: Gotham FC vs. Angel City FC on ABC
Oct. 18
5 p.m.: Bay FC vs. Portland Thorns FC on ESPN networks
Oct. 25
5 p.m.: Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit on ESPN networks
Nov. 1
Games TBD
How can fans find additional NWSL content from ESPN?
Visit the ESPN NWSL hub page for the latest updates, scores, statistics, schedules, and more.
