The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) plans to resume its regular season on 3 July rather than the usual later date, aiming to capture fan engagement from the men's World Cup. The league's 14th season recently concluded match week 10 of 27, marking the start of a month-long break to honor the collective bargaining agreement and pause for the men's World Cup opening phase.
World Cup Break: Challenge and Opportunity
With seven of the league's 16 markets hosting World Cup programming, the NWSL adjusted its schedule to accommodate stadium demands. Commissioner Jessica Berman acknowledged the logistical challenges but emphasized the opportunity to attract new fans. "We're making lemonade out of lemons," she told Sports Business Journal. "Obviously, it wouldn't be our choice to not have access to our venues. It's challenging operationally and logistically... That said, there's an opportunity."
The NWSL, home to the majority of the four-time world champions' roster—including 22 of 26 players in Emma Hayes's recent squad—hopes to capture a new audience during the World Cup. Berman stated, "Our specific focus for the 2026 season is to make sure that our games are in front of people who love elite soccer, agnostic to whether it is men or women, knowing that the NWSL is the best league in the world."
Audience Dynamics
Research suggests that viewership for women's sports often skews male. A YouGov survey from the 2023 Women's World Cup found men were two to three times more likely to follow the tournament. ESPN's vice-president of women's sports programming, Susie Piotrkowski, noted, "There was a perception historically that only women were watching women's sports. Actually, it couldn't be more wrong." The NWSL aims to convert both male and female World Cup viewers into league fans.
Summer of Soccer Program
The NWSL announced its Summer of Soccer program, featuring a branded bus tour bringing matches and fan engagement to cities with or soon to have an NWSL team. The tour includes the 2026 Challenge Cup on 26 June between Gotham and Kansas City, and stops in FIFA host cities like New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Kansas City, as well as NWSL cities like Portland, Denver, and Columbus. The tour starts in Columbus and aims to be onsite for Lindsey Heaps's debut in Denver, concluding in the New York/New Jersey area. In New York, the NWSL hopes to set an attendance record for women's sports at Citi Field with the Queen's Classic, a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship between Gotham and Washington Spirit. The league will also have a presence at the World Cup final on 19 July.
Quote of the Week
"Hi all. Following our end-of-season review and planning for 2026-27, we wanted to let you know that we won't be renewing contracts for the players included in this message." A majority of Plymouth players were told their contracts would not be renewed via email, as reported by Tom Garry.
Talking Points
- WSL Goes Stateside: The Women's Super League's new four-year CBS deal will air 183 matches annually on Paramount+ and one match per week on CBS Sports Network, increasing competition for the NWSL.
- All-England Cast: Chelsea beat Manchester United 5-4 to win the World Sevens Football tournament, featuring eight WSL teams and a $500,000 prize pool.
- Pastures New: Katie McCabe announced a cross-London move from Arsenal to Chelsea ahead of next season.
Recommended Viewing
During their finale walk out at the World Sevens, Chelsea's squad re-enacted the infamous hair-pull incident from the UWCL semi-final.
Still Want More?
Andrée Jeglertz praised Khadija "Bunny" Shaw for maintaining focus amid speculation and scoring in the FA Cup final to secure a double. She signed a four-year contract extension. Mary Earps may return to the WSL with London City Lionesses after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
