How Many Games Are in an NWSL Season?

The National Women’s Soccer League has grown quickly since its 2013 debut, and so has the length of its schedule. Fans checking fixture lists today will notice that clubs now play more league matches than ever before.

Below is a clear breakdown of the current NWSL game count, how the format evolved, and what extra contests a team might face once the postseason kicks in.

Regular Season Game Count Today

As of the 2024 season, every NWSL club plays 26 regular season games. The league expanded to 14 teams, and each side meets every other team once at home and once away, creating a balanced double-round-robin schedule.

The regular season typically begins in March and wraps up by late October, giving players a steady cadence of weekend fixtures broken up by international windows.

Postseason: How Many Extra Games Are Possible?

Finishing in the top eight unlocks playoff soccer. The knockout bracket features quarterfinals, semifinals, and a single-match championship final.

A club that starts in the quarterfinal round and reaches the final adds three games to its calendar. Teams with a higher seed still need to navigate two rounds, so the absolute maximum for any side in a given year is 29 competitive matches.

A Quick Look at Schedule Changes Through the Years

The number of games has not always been 26. Early seasons were shorter, reflecting a smaller league size and fewer venues.

Incremental growth in both clubs and broadcast demand gradually pushed the total upward.

• 2013-2016: 22 games
• 2017-2019: 24 games
• 2021: 24 games (2020 had only tournament play)
• 2022-2023: 22 games
• 2024 onward: 26 games

Why the League Opted for a Double-Round-Robin Format

Competitive balance is the primary driver. Meeting every opponent home and away removes quirks caused by unbalanced slates and ensures that playoff spots hinge on direct results rather than scheduling luck.

From a commercial standpoint, additional matches mean more ticket revenue, additional broadcast windows, and greater exposure for sponsors, key elements for sustainable league growth.

Cup Competitions and International Windows

In some recent years the league staged a separate Challenge Cup alongside the regular season. Those matches are counted as a distinct competition and do not affect the official 26-game league total.

International breaks for FIFA windows also appear on the calendar. Clubs pause league play during those periods, allowing national-team players to depart without adding extra club fixtures.

Potential Future Adjustments

Commissioner statements suggest the league is open to further expansion, which could necessitate either a longer regular season or a shift to conference play to keep travel demands reasonable.

For now, stakeholders seem satisfied with 26 games, but fans should keep an eye on future expansion announcements that could reshape the calendar yet again.

Conclusion

An NWSL season currently guarantees 26 regular-season games, with up to three more for clubs that mount a full playoff run. This structure balances competitive integrity, player welfare, and commercial ambitions.

As the league continues to expand, the schedule may evolve, but the present format offers consistent, home-and-away excitement from spring through fall for supporters across the United States.