The National Women’s Soccer League is about to embark on its 13th postseason since beginning play in 2013. Though the league started with just eight teams, it has since blossomed into the remarkable product we know today.
As has been the case all season long, everyone is chasing the Kansas City Current. The Shield-winners’ remarkable regular season undoubtedly has marked them as favorites for KC’s third NWSL title, but first as the Current.
That said, each of the last four Shield winners were unable to secure the NWSL championship once push came to shove. Can Kansas City break the streak or will they be dethroned like many of the regular-season champs before them?
Here’s everything to know ahead of the 2025 NWSL playoffs:
2025 NWSL playoffs bracket
Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 1 Kansas City Current vs. No. 8 Gotham FC – Nov. 9, 12:30 p.m. ET
Game 2: No. 4 Orlando Pride vs. No. 5 Seattle Reign FC – Nov. 7, 8 p.m. ET
Game 3: No. 2 Washington Spirit vs. No. 7 Racing Louisville FC – Nov. 8, 12 p.m. ET
Game 4: No. 3 Portland Thorns FC vs. No. 6 San Diego Wave FC – Nov. 9, 3 p.m. ET
Semifinals
Game 5: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 (at higher seed)
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (at higher seed)
Finals
Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 (PayPal Park in San Jose, CA)
All of these games will be available for viewing with NWSL+.
2025 NWSL schedule
The playoffs start off with a lone match Friday, Nov. 7, a showdown between No. 4 Orlando Pride and No. 5 Seattle Reign FC. That game will start at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on Prime Video.
Saturday, Nov. 8 will feature a doubleheader, starting with No. 2 Washington Spirit taking on No. 7 Racing Louisville FC. That game will start at 12 p.m. ET and will air on CBS or can be streamed on Paramount+. That match will be followed by No. 3 Portland Thorns FC vs. No. 6 San Diego Wave FC. The official start time is 3 p.m. ET, airing on ABC/ESPN.
The final game of the quarterfinals will take place Sunday, Nov. 9 as the top-seeded Kansas City Current face off against No. 8 Gotham FC. Gotham looks to become the first No. 8 seed to win a playoff match, although the league has only had eight playoff teams for two seasons now. That contest will start at 12:30 p.m. ET and air on ABC/ESPN.
The official schedule for the semifinals and finals have not been officially set yet. That said, we know that the semifinals will take place over two days from Nov. 15-16.
The championship game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be played at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, and will air on CBS while streaming on Paramount+.
Stream the NWSL Championship Game with Paramount+
