The NWSL playoffs are expanding to include eight teams for the first time in league history. First-round bye weeks, instituted from 2021-2023 to manage playoff expansion from four to six teams, have been eliminated, with all teams taking part in the quarterfinals.
The four quarterfinal matches will take place the weekend of November 9-10, with winners advancing to the semifinals to be held the following weekend, November 16-17.
The 2024 Championship will be held on November 23 in Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium at 8pm ET.
Who Will Make it to KC?
In 2023, the final playoff spots were up in the air on the league’s first-ever Decision Day, with all six final matches of the season being played at once and teams moving up and down the table in dramatic fashion. The 2024 season concludes on November 3 and will not utilize this format, with Matchday 26 being spread across the weekend and only two matches overlapping.
While we can’t see the future, it’s not unlikely that we’ll be seeing playoff hosts, matchups, or final playoff spots decided in these final moments as the 2024 regular season draws to a close.
Currently (early September), 10 points separate the top 4 teams, but a point difference of just over 20 stands between the first and last playoff spot. It’s incredibly likely that Orlando, Washington, Kansas City, and NJ/NY Gotham FC all make the 2024 playoffs. Whether or not they’ll maintain their top four standing to clinch a home quarterfinal remains to be seen!
What We Know Now:
Until the final whistle, we don’t expect to know how the 2024 NWSL playoffs will start to unfold – and even then we may have to wait it out in the event of a tie that goes to a coin flip or drawing of lots. But right now, this is what we know for sure.
This list will continue to be updated throughout the remainder of the NWSL season!
The Orlando Pride are IN. (Clinched Sept. 6)
Orlando had the first opportunity to clinch a playoff berth, but the cards didn’t fall in their favor on Matchday 18.
The Pride would have qualified with a win over Gotham FC and two of the three following results:
- Bay FC draw or lose to the Portland Thorns
- Racing Louisville lose to Seattle Reign
- Angel City draw or lose to the Chicago Red Stars
While the Pride beat Gotham 2-0, Bay FC beat the Portland Thorns 3-1 and Angel City beat Chicago 2-1. Only one of the three necessary results occurred, with Louisville falling to Seattle 3-2.
Thus, the Pride went on Matchday 19 where a win against Chicago would clinch the first 2024 playoff spot, or Angel City losing to or drawing Seattle, or Bay FC losing to or drawing Racing Louisville.
Seattle Reign FC defeated Angel City FC 3-2 on September 6 in the first matchup of Matchday 19, clinching the Pride’s spot in the 2024 NWSL Playoffs before any other games had been played. This will be the Pride’s second-ever NWSL playoff appearance.
Washington Spirit are on the Precipice (Clinched Sept. 13)
The Spirit have the opportunity to clinch the second 2024 NWSL playoff spot of the season with a win or draw to Houston on Sunday, September 15.
The Spirit could also clinch their playoff spot with the following outcomes:
- Bay FC draw or lose to North Carolina AND the Portland Thorns draw or lose to the Chicago Red Stars
- Bay FC draw or lose to North Carolina AND Angel City draw or lose to Racing Louisville
- Seattle Reign draw or lose to Gotham FC AND EITHER:
- Portland Thorns draw or lose to the Chicago Red Stars
- Angel City draw or lose to Racing Louisville
The Spirit have not appeared in the NWSL playoffs since their championship win in 2021.
Update: The 1-1 draw between Bay FC and the North Carolina Courage, and the Chicago Red Stars’ 1-0 win over the Portland Thorns secured the Spirit’s playoff berth on Friday, September 13.
As of week 22, the Spirit are still waiting to clinch a home quarterfinal match with a top-four finish.
Kansas City (Clinched Sept. 20)
In Week 19, a win for Kansas City against Orlando and…
- North Carolina win/draw OR Gotham win/draw
- Chicago win/draw OR Louisville win/draw
Every team ended up getting the necessary result for KC to clinch their playoff spot in Week 19 except for KC themselves, who drew Orlando 0-0.
In Week 20, a win and in situation against the Spirit could give the Current their playoff berth, but if the team falls short with a draw or loss, the following scenarios could also put KC through:
- Kansas City draw AND Louisville draw/loss
- Kansas City draw AND Portland loss
- Louisville draw/loss AND Angel City draw/loss
Luckily for Kansas City, the team opened Week 20 with a Friday night 3-0 win over the Spirit and their spot was secured. Now, KC will look to make a home playoff run right through to the championship.
Gotham seeks a Championship return (Clinched Sept. 22)
If NJ/NY Gotham FC wins in Week 19, they’ll also need Chicago to beat Portland and Louisville to draw Angel City in order to clinch their playoff spot.
Unfortunately for Gotham, the rest of the league didn’t fall in their favor in Week 19. Fortunately, in Week 20 they hold all the power in their own hands – a win and in situation would seem simple for the Bats, but to make things even easier, Gotham will clinch a playoff spot with a win against Utah or a draw.
The team can also clinch in Week 20 if North Carolina draws or beats Racing Louisville, or if Angel City beats Portland.
Update: Gotham clinched a spot in the playoffs in Week 20 with their win over the Utah Royals.
North Carolina (Clinched Oct. 5)
North Carolina clinched their playoff spot in week 22 with a win over the San Diego Wave. Sitting in fifth place after week 22 with 38 points, it is still technically possible for the Courage to secure a home playoff game, but results elsewhere will also play a role.
3/8 Playoff Spots are Still Available
Eight teams are in the hunt for the final three spots. Who will claim them?
As of October 8, the Houston Dash have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Matchday 26 Details…
The final weekend of regular season action kicks off on November 1, and we’ll be eager to see how it impacts the table heading into the playoffs.
Matchday 26 will kick off at 9:30 pm EDT on Friday, November 1, followed by a second match at 10:00 pm EDT. There will be three matches played throughout Saturday evening, and two to finish out the season on Sunday (see table below for all of the details!).
| Matchup | Day | Time (EDT) | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTA v NJNY | November 1 | 9:30 pm | NWSL+ |
| POR v LA | November 1 | 10:00 pm | Prime Video |
| ORL v SEA | November 2 | 5:00 pm | ION |
| NC v WAS | November 2 | 7:30 pm | ION |
| HOU v BAY | November 2 | 9:30 pm | ION |
| CHI v KC | November 3 | 3:00 pm | ESPN/ESPN+ |
| SD v LOU | November 3 | 5:30 pm | ESPN/ESPN+ |
How to Watch the 2024 NWSL Playoffs
Quarterfinal matches will air on CBS, ESPN/ABC, and Prime Video, while semifinals will be featured on CBS and ESPN/ABC.
The 2024 Championship will be air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
International viewers will be able to watch the playoffs on NWSL+.