Fansided

The wait is over: Examining the 2023 NWSL schedule

By Caden Charpentier

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 23: Megan Rapinoe #15 of OL Reign in action against the Kansas City Current during the second half in a NWSL semifinal match at Lumen Field on October 23, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 23: Megan Rapinoe #15 of OL Reign in action against the Kansas City Current during the second half in a NWSL semifinal match at Lumen Field on October 23, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Following an offseason for the ages, the NWSL finally releases the 2023 schedule for both the regular season, and UKG Challenge Cup. 

The NWSL season is almost here. You can almost see the freshly painted lines and vibrant new kits on both ends of the pitch. 2023 is the year. The steps forward have been taken, and this upcoming season has all of the storylines that could make these next few months some of the most competitive fans have seen. The most prestigious women’s soccer league in the United States is less than two months from kicking off.

On Wednesday afternoon, the league dropped the long-awaited 2023 schedule for both the regular season and the new-look Challenge Cup — 22 games for each team equaling 132 regular season contests in total spanning 22 weeks from March to October. League commissioner, Jessica Berman has made many improvements to the schedule compared to last year’s edition as the NWSL moves into a new era of soccer.

Just like the European game, the Challenge Cup will now run just like the “FA Cup” or “Conti Cup” does in England — in the middle of the season. No more mid-week regular season matches and a limited number of contests during the World Cup in July and August are two highlights that teams and players are going to be delighted about.

This schedule is a testament to how much this league has grown since its inception back in November 2012. Just like in the Premier League, the NWSL is creating the potential for a wild final day of the season. With every team in action simultaneously, there is bound to be a high level of drama as each club fights for a top-six spot in the table.

When it comes to the Challenge Cup, each club will play a double round-robin set of matches against the teams that were in their “divisions” from the 2022 Challenge Cup. Given the way North Carolina’s offseason has gone, we are more than likely to see a new winner but for a cup competition like this, it is almost impossible to predict.

How serious are clubs going to take it compared to the regular season? We will have to wait and see, but if last season was any indication, winning the Challenge Cup does not always make you the frontrunner to hoist the title. The top-four teams meet in a semifinal round on Sep. 6 with the final scheduled for Saturday, Sep. 8.

In the league’s first season, eight teams battled it out for four postseason spots, drawing an average of 4,500 fans per game. The average attendance was closing in on 8,000 last season and with the new CBA, the NWSL is putting together a set of parameters focused on promoting the talents of the players around the league. From pay equity advancements to parental, and mental health leave, 2023 will be a year of groundbreaking firsts for the NWSL.

Combined with the news of three new expansion teams coming in the near future,  enthusiasm around this league has never been higher. From player reunions with their former clubs to rivalry matchups, the 2023 schedule has everything a soccer fan would long for. The players and fans knew there was potential, it just simply needed structure and investment.

Mark your calendars for these 7 dates: 

Saturday, March 25 (Opening Night): 

Kansas City Current vs North Carolina Courage (WakeMed Soccer Park, 2:00 pm ET)

San Diego Wave vs Chicago Red Stars (Snapdragon Stadium, 10:00 pm ET)

Saturday, April 1 (2023 Championship rematch): 

Kansas City Current vs Portland Thorns FC (Children’s Mercy Park, 12:50 pm ET)

Wednesday, April 19 (UKG Challenge Cup kicks off): 

Headliner: Portland Thorns FC vs San Diego Wave (Snapdragon Stadium, 10:00 pm ET)

Sunday, April 23 (1st Battle for California): 

San Diego Wave vs Angel City FC (BMO Stadium, 8:00 pm ET)

Saturday, June 3 (1st Cascadia Rivalry Matchup): 

OL Reign vs Portland Thorns FC (Lumen Field, 8:00 pm ET)

Saturday, June 10 (2023 semi-final rematch at Lumen):

Kansas City Current vs OL Reign (Lumen Field, 10:00 pm ET)

Sunday, Oct. 15 (Final Day of the Regular Season): 

Five games are in action at 5:00 pm ET

All matches throughout the NWSL season will be broadcasted across all CBS Sports Platforms.

Home/NWSL