The NWSL Challenge Cup is here, with teams set to compete for a record prize pool of $1 million.

Beginning on April 19, three groups of four teams each will compete in the group stage, which will conclude on Aug. 6. All three division winners will advance to the semifinals, as well as the runner-up with the most points across all the divisions.

For a more in-depth look at players and teams to watch during the Challenge Cup, see staff writer Claire Watkins’ predictions for the revamped 2023 edition.

What are the divisions?

• East Division:
  • NJ/NY Gotham FC
  • North Carolina Courage
  • Orlando Pride
  • Washington Spirit
• Central Division:
  • Chicago Red Stars
  • Houston Dash
  • Kansas City Current
  • Racing Louisville
• West Division:
  • Angel City FC
  • OL Reign
  • Portland Thorns
  • San Diego Wave FC

What happens in case of a tie?

If teams end up tied in points after the divisional round, the first tiebreak is goal differential, followed by goals scored. After that, the tiebreak moves to head-to-head results between the teams that are tied, followed by goal differential in those games. From there, it goes to head-to-head goals scored in games between the teams that are tied.

At the end of all of that, if teams are still tied, the tiebreak will rely on the number of yellow and red cards received by each team, and then to a draw.

When will the games take place?

The tournament is being held concurrently with the regular season for the first time. The inaugural 2020 edition replaced that year’s pandemic-canceled season, and the 2021 and 2022 editions were played during the preseason.

Challenge Cup games mostly will be played on Wednesdays, although during the World Cup break games also will take place on Friday and Saturday nights.

The two semifinal matches will take place on Sept. 6, followed by the championship match on Sept. 9.

What is the full schedule?

Note: All kickoff times are listed in Eastern Time. All matches are available on Paramount+ unless otherwise noted.

• Wednesday, April 19:
  • Orlando Pride vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:00 p.m.
  • NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit, 7:30 p.m.
  • Houston Dash vs. Kansas City Current, 7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
  • San Diego Wave vs. Portland Thorns, 10:00 p.m.
  • Angel City FC vs. OL Reign, 10:00 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Wednesday, May 3:
  • North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7:00 p.m.
  • Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8:00 p.m.
  • OL Reign vs. Angel City FC, 10:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10:
  • Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Wednesday, May 17:
  • Racing Louisville vs. Kansas City Current, 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 31:
  • Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville, 8:00 p.m.
  • San Diego Wave vs. OL Reign, 10:00 p.m.
  • Portland Thorns vs. Angel City FC, 10:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 7:
  • NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Wednesday, June 14:
  • Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m.
  • Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8:00 p.m.
  • Racing Louisville vs. Houston Dash, 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 28:
  • Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7:00 p.m.
  • Portland Thorns vs. OL Reign, 10:30 p.m.
  • Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Friday, July 21:
  • Racing Louisville vs. Chicago Red Stars, 7:00 p.m.
  • Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m.
•  Saturday, July 22:
  • North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit, 7:00 p.m.
  • Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash, 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 28:
  • Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7:30 p.m.
  • OL Reign vs. San Diego Wave, 10:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 29:
  • North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride, 7:00 p.m.
  • Chicago Red Stars vs. Kansas City Current, 8:00 p.m.
  • Houston Dash vs. Racing Louisville, 8:30 p.m.
  • Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns, 10:00 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 4:
  • Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit, 7:00 p.m.
  • Kansas City Current vs. Racing Louisville, 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 5:
  • NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m.
  • Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash, 8:00 p.m.
  • San Diego Wave vs. Angel City FC, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 6:
  • OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns, 6:00 p.m.

The Soccer Tournament (TST) is coming back to Cary in 2026, as the North Carolina-based 7v7 competition dropped the dates for its fourth iteration earlier this week.

After its 2023 inaugural tournament, which included a mix of men's, women's, and co-ed teams, TST will re-up its 16-team women's competition — expanded in 2025 from eight teams in 2024 —alongside its men's edition this summer, running both contests from May 27th through June 1st.

Additionally, TST will again be anteing up a $1 million winners check to entice soccer's top players to take the pitch in Cary.

The seven-figure prize again has the reigning two-time champion US Women coming back, with USWNT alum and incoming National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Heather O'Reilly announcing in November that the team will return to defend their title in 2026.

"Many of my former teammates with the USWNT will be making appearances, so we can't wait to see you in the summertime," promised O'Reilly at the TST x Cary Kickoff Party before adding a joking "we're not f—ing leaving."

As small-side events grow in popularity, North Carolina has doubled down on keeping TST at WakeMed Soccer Park, the home of the NWSL's Courage.

In October, the state awarded TST a $6.6 million grant to remain in Cary through 2029, anticipating an economic impact from the competition in the eight figures.

How to buy tickets for TST in 2026

The ticket pre-sale for TST 2026 will open at 9 AM ET on Tuesday, February 24th, with added exclusive benefits to fans who join TST's ticket waitlist.

LSU women's basketball star Flau'jae Johnson is gearing up again, with Sole Retriever revealing on Tuesday that the senior guard plans to drop a new Puma player exclusive sneaker next month.

The 22-year-old will take over the Puma All-Pro Nitro 2, pairing a tan and brown camouflage pattern with bright pink and green accents.

Adorned with a custom logo representing Johnson's No. 4 jersey — a four-finger hand image in green — the Tigers standout will see her exclusive logo on both the tongue and bottom sole of the All-Pro Nitro 2.

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A major player in Puma's NIL program since 2022, Johnson debuted her first player exclusive colorway in 2024, but this new design will be the NIL star's first PE available on the consumer market.

"They were very intrigued not only [about] basketball, but my music side, too," Johnson told Andscape after signing with the sportswear giant. "That was really important to me, because some people try to box you in. Puma was like, 'Ain't no box. Ain't no cage.'"

How to purchase the Puma All-Pro Nitro 2 Flau'jae Johnson PE sneaker

Retailing at $140, Johnson's Puma All-Pro Nitro 2 PE sneakers will hit both online and brick-and-mortar shelves on February 6th.

Orlando has landed a new front office leader, as the Pride announced on Tuesday that they've hired former Kansas City Current GM Caitlin Carducci as the Florida NWSL club's new VP of soccer operations and GM.

"Caitlin is a proven leader whose experience across every level of women's soccer and history of building championship-caliber rosters set her apart," said Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf in the team's Tuesday statement. "She emerged as the clear choice in our search with her deep expertise, strong reputation, and a vision that aligns with our culture."

Carducci, whose resume also boasts roles developing the women's game at both the NWSL's headquarters and for US Soccer, stepped away from the Current after two seasons, departing after Kansas City's historic 2025 Shield-winning run.

She replaces outgoing VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter, who left the Pride in November prior to becoming the new president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit.

Rather than instigating significant changes, Carducci plans to bolster the recent accomplishments of the 2024 Shield and championship-winning Orlando Pride with a goal of creating ongoing success for the club.

"The chance to work with the Wilf family, whose leadership and investment reflect their commitment to a world‑class organization, along with a championship‑level roster and technical staff, made this an easy decision," said Carducci. "I'm eager to begin this next chapter, strengthen the inclusive and ambitious culture that defines this club, and help push the Pride toward new heights."

Professional softball put down roots coast-to-coast on Tuesday, when the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) unveiled the home cities and stadiums for each of the expanded league's teams for the 2026 season — and beyond.

After adopting a touring model for its four-team inaugural 2025 campaign, AUSL's move into home markets coincides with the league's expansion, as the now-six-team second-year league welcomed the Cascade and Spark in November.

With Tuesday's announcement, the previously independent Spark will continue to play in Oklahoma City at Oklahoma Christian University's Tom Heath Field, with fellow expansion side Cascade making its home at Hillsboro Ballpark, in Portland, Oregon.

Meanwhile, the four original teams will re-debut as the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Texas Volts, and Utah Talons.

The Blaze will play their home games at Duke University's Smith Family Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, while the Bandits' permanent home will be at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois — a longtime hub for pro softball.

The Volts will play at Dell Diamond, the home of Minor League Baseball's Round Rock Express, the Triple-A team for MLB's Texas Rangers.

Lastly, the University of Utah will house the Talons, with the reigning AUSL champions taking over the Utes' Dumke Family Stadium in Salt Lake City beginning this year.

"This is about creating lasting connections between our athletes, our teams, and the communities they represent, and setting up the sport of softball for long-term success at the professional level," said AUSL commissioner Kim Ng in Tuesday's announcement.

All six teams will kick off their 2026 season on June 9th, when games will be played across multiple cities simultaneously for the first time in AUSL history.

How to purchase 2026 AUSL season tickets

Softball fans can now score 2026 season tickets for their AUSL home teams online.