The NWSL is back.
ESPN will launch its coverage of the 2026 NWSL season on Friday with a special edition of "Futbol W," a weekly show dedicated to women's professional soccer. The one-hour season preview will air on ESPN2 and feature former U.S. women's national team players Crystal Dunn and Ali Krieger providing analysis alongside ESPN.com's Jeff Kassouf and host Cristina Alexander.
The 2026 NWSL season will mark the debuts of the Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, bringing the league to 16 clubs. Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champions, will begin their title defense against Boston on Saturday on ABC.
Here are key facts about ESPN's coverage of the 2026 NWSL season:
When does the season begin?
The 2026 NWSL season kicks off Friday. ESPN's coverage begins Friday with the "Futbol W" season preview show at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
How can fans watch?
Fans can catch all of the action in the ESPN App and in the NWSL streaming hub.
What is the schedule of games on ESPN's family of networks?
ESPN's game coverage kicks off Saturday with Boston Legacy FC hosting defending NWSL champions Gotham FC at 12:45 p.m. ET on ABC, Disney+ and in the ESPN App. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Full 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 access more NWSL content from ESPN?
Check out the ESPN NWSL hub page for the latest news, scores, stats, schedules and more.