The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is in its 12th season, and there’s no shortage of excitement. Starting this year, the NWSL enters a four-year media rights deal—bringing games to ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports platforms.
To watch every NWSL game, you’ll need access to multiple services—including the league’s free streaming platform NWSL+. Tuning in may seem overwhelming, but fear not! We’re here to guide you through each NWSL channel and present multiple options for catching the most action.
What channels show the NWSL?
You can watch all 182 NWSL matches on ABC, Amazon Prime Video, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NWSL+. All games that air on ABC or ESPN channels also stream on ESPN+, while Paramount+ carries every CBS match.
Here’s a list of each channel’s game count for the 2024 regular season:
- ABC (1)
- Amazon Prime Video (25)
- CBS (11)
- CBS Sports Network (10)
- ESPN (7)
- ESPN2 (9)
- ION (50)
- NWSL+ (69)
Pro tip: ESPN Deportes will show 13 NWSL games with Spanish-language commentary in 2024.
2024 NWSL schedule
The 2024 NWSL regular season runs from March 16 to November 3, with a break in mid-July for the Paris Olympics.
Below is a list of important dates on this year’s NWSL calendar. For a closer look at individual matches and channel listings, check out the official NWSL schedule.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| NWSL Draft | Friday, January 12 | ION, ION Plus |
| NWSL Challenge Cup | Friday, March 15 | Prime Video |
| NWSL Playoffs | Saturday, November 9 | CBS/Paramount+, ESPN/ABC, Prime Video |
| NWSL Championship | Saturday, November 23 | CBS/Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Best NWSL TV plans
YouTube TV is our top pick for NWSL viewing, offering six core league channels and unlimited DVR storage. At $72.99 a month, the live TV streaming service is slightly cheaper than similar competitors like Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. It also has FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and TNT Sports channels for watching related competitions—including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Summer Olympics, and NCAA Women’s College Cup.
You’ll also need Amazon Prime Video and NWSL+ subscriptions for the exclusive games on both platforms. Fortunately, NWSL+ is free this season, but Prime Video plans start at $8.99 a month.
The combination of YouTube TV, Prime Video, and NWSL+ will cost you at least $81.98 a month. But there are some free alternatives for watching most regular-season games. We highlight those options further down in our Watch for Free section.
Which TV providers show NWSL games?
Most TV providers carry NWSL games due to the league’s expansive broadcast deal. If you prefer scouting TV plans, our table below illustrates which popular services carry ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network (CBSSN), ESPN, and ION. (Note: All providers with ESPN also have ESPN2.)
| Provider | Price | ABC* | CBS* | CBSSN | ESPN | ION* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YouTube TV Best NWSL coverage |
$72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
|
Fubo Best free trial |
$32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Frndly TV | $6.99–$10.99/mo. | — | — | — | — | ✔ |
View plans Read Frndly TV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $69.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Vidgo | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
Data effective as of post date.
*Channel availability may vary by location.
How to watch the NWSL for free
†CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $39.99 (as of 3/15/24 1:00 p.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
There are two easy ways you can watch NWSL games for free. The first is to connect an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to your TV to pick up games that air on ABC, CBS, and ION. However, channel reception depends on your location, which you can verify by running your zip code through the FCC’s Reception Map Tool.
You can also stream over 110 matches across NWSL+ and ION’s video platforms. If you can’t get ION with an antenna, the channel is free on the ION app and other services like Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel.
Additional free NWSL coverage streams on the Women’s Sports Network, including a weekly highlight show called VERSUS. The channel also features LPGA content alongside live games from Athletes Unlimited and the Women’s Football Alliance. You can find the Women’s Sports Network on Amazon Freevee, Tubi, Xumo Play, and Fubo.
How to watch the NWSL FAQ
How can I watch the NWSL without Paramount+?
As of the 2024 season, most NWSL games are available on channels and services other than Paramount+. You can even stream several matches for free on ION and NWSL+.
Is the NWSL Challenge Cup on TV?
Yes, you can stream the NWSL Challenge Cup on TV with an Amazon Prime Video subscription. Unlike previous seasons, the 2024 Challenge Cup is a single match between last year’s NWSL Shield and NWSL Cup winners.
How can I watch women’s soccer without cable?
You can watch women’s soccer without cable across various streaming services. Live TV streaming services like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV include channels that air NWSL and USWNT games. Other services like ESPN+, Max with the B/R Sports Add-On, Paramount+, and Peacock also carry women’s soccer.
Can I watch women’s soccer on Peacock?
Yes, you can stream Spanish-language coverage of the USWNT on Peacock—including the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Peacock is also the streaming home to the Summer Olympics and tons of Olympic-related content.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†Amazon.com price as of 3/15/24 1:00 p.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
