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National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a women's professional soccer league and the highest level of the United States soccer league system (alongside the USL Super League). The league comprises 14 teams (16 in 2026). It is owned by the teams and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. The NWSL is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.
The NWSL was established in 2012 as the successor to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS; 2007–2012), which was itself the successor to the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA; 2000–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of WPS (Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash).
Through the 2024 season, seven teams (one now defunct) have been crowned NWSL Champions, awarded to the playoff winner, and six teams (one defunct) have claimed the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team in first place at the end of the regular season. The current (2024) NWSL champions are the Orlando Pride. The current (2025) NWSL Shield winners are the Kansas City Current.
As of 2024,[update] the NWSL regular season runs from March to November, after which the team with the highest point total is awarded the NWSL Shield. Each team is scheduled for 26 regular-season games, 13 home and 13 away; in 2026 this will become 30 games to accommodate the expanded 16-team league. This is followed by a playoff tournament culminating in the NWSL championship game in late November to crown the league champion. In 2024 a full quarterfinal round was introduced, so that the eight teams with the most points from the regular season qualify for the playoffs.
From 2021 to 2023, the playoffs included six teams, with the top two teams receiving byes to the semi-finals. Prior to 2021, the playoffs included only four teams. The number of regular-season matches also fluctuated between 20 and 24 in past seasons.
The league also plays the NWSL Challenge Cup, which since 2024 is a single-game super cup between the current NWSL Shield holder and current NWSL Champion. The Challenge Cup originated in 2020 as a way for all teams to return to play after the halt from the COVID-19 pandemic (though one team had to drop out because of COVID). It continued featuring all teams, occurring in 2021 and 2022 as a preseason tournament and in 2023 running concurrently with the season, until 2024.
Since the 2023 season, three teams qualify for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. These spots are the playoff champions, the Shield winners, and Shield runners-up. Gotham FC won the inaugural 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
In 2024 NWSL teams also competed in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Kansas City Current won the tournament.
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National Women's Soccer League AI simulator
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National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a women's professional soccer league and the highest level of the United States soccer league system (alongside the USL Super League). The league comprises 14 teams (16 in 2026). It is owned by the teams and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. The NWSL is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.
The NWSL was established in 2012 as the successor to Women's Professional Soccer (WPS; 2007–2012), which was itself the successor to the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA; 2000–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of WPS (Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash).
Through the 2024 season, seven teams (one now defunct) have been crowned NWSL Champions, awarded to the playoff winner, and six teams (one defunct) have claimed the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team in first place at the end of the regular season. The current (2024) NWSL champions are the Orlando Pride. The current (2025) NWSL Shield winners are the Kansas City Current.
As of 2024,[update] the NWSL regular season runs from March to November, after which the team with the highest point total is awarded the NWSL Shield. Each team is scheduled for 26 regular-season games, 13 home and 13 away; in 2026 this will become 30 games to accommodate the expanded 16-team league. This is followed by a playoff tournament culminating in the NWSL championship game in late November to crown the league champion. In 2024 a full quarterfinal round was introduced, so that the eight teams with the most points from the regular season qualify for the playoffs.
From 2021 to 2023, the playoffs included six teams, with the top two teams receiving byes to the semi-finals. Prior to 2021, the playoffs included only four teams. The number of regular-season matches also fluctuated between 20 and 24 in past seasons.
The league also plays the NWSL Challenge Cup, which since 2024 is a single-game super cup between the current NWSL Shield holder and current NWSL Champion. The Challenge Cup originated in 2020 as a way for all teams to return to play after the halt from the COVID-19 pandemic (though one team had to drop out because of COVID). It continued featuring all teams, occurring in 2021 and 2022 as a preseason tournament and in 2023 running concurrently with the season, until 2024.
Since the 2023 season, three teams qualify for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. These spots are the playoff champions, the Shield winners, and Shield runners-up. Gotham FC won the inaugural 2024–25 CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
In 2024 NWSL teams also competed in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Kansas City Current won the tournament.