The NWSL dropped its 2027 schedule footprint, as Commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed plans to kick off next season on February 11th — the earliest start in league history — to allow for the Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Set for Angel City’s BMO Stadium, the season-opener coincides with Super Bowl LXI at nearby SoFi Stadium — deliberately capitalizing on US sports’ biggest weekend after seeing a boost from this year’s Summer of Soccer initiative.
“We have intentionally — again, seeing the success we’ve had leaning into the halo of the Men’s World Cup — [applied] the same thesis for next year,” she said, noting significant growth across social channels.
The 2027 Challenge Cup precedes regular-season kickoff on February 6th, with this year’s Shield winner battling the 2026 NWSL champion at a neutral stadium.
The early start makes room for a seven-week summer pause from June 7th to July 25th, covering both the CBA-mandated rest and World Cup, which featured 61 NWSL players in 2023.
Each of the 16 clubs will again play a 30-match schedule, with Decision Day returning October 31st before the November 20th championship.
