The National Women’s Soccer League is making a massive move for its 2027 season, with the entire campaign set to kick off on February 6. This isn’t just a tweak, it’s a statement, pushing the start date way earlier than ever before and marking a huge shift in the league’s footprint. Get ready for some serious action right out of the gate!
February Football and a Super Bowl Spotlight
Get ready for some early action because the 2027 campaign is kicking off on February 6 with the NWSL Challenge Cup. This isn’t just any exhibition, folks, this is a true showcase of the league’s top-tier talent! We’re talking about the reigning 2026 NWSL Shield winner going head-to-head with the 2026 NWSL Championship winner. Imagine that clash right out of the gate! The regular season itself jumps into action just days later on February 11, setting up another grueling 30-match gauntlet for the league’s 16 teams. And listen to this: opening weekend is scheduled for Los Angeles, perfectly timed to coincide with Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. The league’s goal here is pure genius: maximize visibility during the single biggest sports entertainment moment on the nation’s calendar. That’s a power play, plain and simple.
World Cup Breaks and Massive Growth Ahead
The 2027 schedule is all about balancing that intense competition with necessary breaks for player welfare and international duties. There will be a CBA-mandated break from June 7-13, which is crucial for player recovery. Then, get ready for some serious global soccer excitement: an international break from June 24 to July 25 for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This shows the league’s commitment to supporting its players on the world stage, which is huge. The regular season sprint will then conclude with NWSL Decision Day on October 31, leading right into the NWSL playoffs starting November 5. It all culminates with the NWSL Championship on November 20.
What makes 2027 even bigger? It’s not just the league’s 15th anniversary, but it’s also the final year we’ll see 16 teams in action. The NWSL has already announced massive expansion plans for 2028, with two new clubs joining from Atlanta and Columbus. That bumps the total number of teams up to 18, which is double the amount of clubs the league started with back in 2013. Talk about growth!
What’s Next for the NWSL?
The league still has more details to drop, including additional schedule and broadcast information, so keep your eyes peeled. For now, we know CBS is the home of the NWSL Championship, and fans can catch the big game, select regular season, and playoff matches across CBS, CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and Paramount+. Get ready for a monumental 2027, because the NWSL is pulling out all the stops to kick off early, grab the spotlight, and keep growing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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