The NWSL announced the framework for the league’s 2022 campaign, including a 22-game regular season.
For the first time in NWSL history, teams will play a balanced schedule, with each club playing a home and away match against every other club.
I would truly like to praise the NWSL schedule-makers here:22-game schedule and it's balanced.12 teams, each plays the 11 others twice (one home/one away).This is how it should be! Been saying this since we knew we'd be going to 12 teams.Keep this format! pic.twitter.com/mIeeFzXsOX— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 18, 2021
I would truly like to praise the NWSL schedule-makers here:22-game schedule and it's balanced.12 teams, each plays the 11 others twice (one home/one away).This is how it should be! Been saying this since we knew we'd be going to 12 teams.Keep this format! pic.twitter.com/mIeeFzXsOX
Pre-season is set to begin on Feb. 1, as the Challenge Cup will start group play on March 19, running up to the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on May 7.
In the league’s statement, the NWSL said the 10th anniversary season’s format “will significantly limit the number of games that occur during FIFA windows.”
The 2022 season will culminate with a six-team playoff, with the top two teams receiving a first-round bye. The NWSL Championship weekend is scheduled for Oct. 28-30.