• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

NWSL Looks to Continue Momentum with Regionalized Fall Series

  • July’s Challenge Cup saw breakout viewership numbers for games televised on CBS.
  • For the fall series, teams will form three, three-team pods.
NWSL Looks to Continue Momentum with Regionalized Fall Series
Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com

After the breakout success of the Challenge Cup tournament in July, the National Women’s Soccer League will look to continue the momentum with a series beginning Sept. 5.

The fall series will include 18 matches over the course of seven weeks. Teams will be split into three, three-team pods, and those within each pod will only play one another to minimize travel. 

The full format and schedule for the NWSL fall series will be released in the next week, the league said. The west pod includes OL Reign, Portland Thorns FC and Utah Royals FC; the northeast pod includes Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC and Washington Spirit; and the south pod includes North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, and Houston Dash.

“Building on the success of this summer’s Challenge Cup, I am so excited to smartly and safely take this next step on the NWSL’s journey,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said. “The women of the NWSL want to compete and we’ve certainly heard from our fans all over the world looking for more action this year. I’d like to thank the NWSL Player’s Association for their constant collaboration, as well as CBS for continuing to invest in our league’s growth and this unprecedented opportunity to showcase the NWSL to a world-wide audience, week-in, week-out.”

When the fall series gets underway, CBS Television Network will air a NWSL game of the week every Saturday in September, and on CBS Sports Network three Saturdays in October. CBS All Access will exclusively stream four games in September.

NWSL TV ratings for the Challenge Cup blew away previous records for both domestic and international broadcasts after inking new rights deals with CBS and Twitch. 

The final match of the tournament averaged 653,000 viewers on CBS, breaking the league’s previous record of 572,000, which was set by the Challenge Cup opener. Prior to the Challenge Cup, the league’s record for a broadcast was 190,000 viewers, from a match in 2014. 

The league also saw success around its Twitch streams, with games averaging around 7,000 viewers and maxing out at 18,505 domestically. 

As noted by The Philly Inquirer, NWSL documents appear to show that fans may be allowed at some games, but will not be allowed closer to the field than row eight of the stands. 

Since the Challenge Cup, a Los Angeles expansion team has been announced as the league’s 11th member, set to join in 2022, and another team in Sacramento is reportedly close.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.

US Open Set Attendance Record, Men’s Final Ratings Surged 82%

Attendance and television viewership of the tennis major again reach historic levels.
Michelle Wu

Josh Kraft, Son of Patriots Owner, Leaves Boston Mayor Race After First-Round..

He challenged Mayor Wu over her support for White Stadium’s costly renovations.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
exclusive
September 16, 2025

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Greg Olsen
September 16, 2025

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.