How To Watch the 2026 NWSL Season

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is back for its 14th season, and the energy has never been higher. With two brand-new expansion clubs—Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC—pushing the league to 16 teams, you’ll definitely want to know how to watch the NWSL on TV to catch all the new rivalries unfold.

The biggest broadcast update this year is the addition of Victory+, a massive new partner offering a completely free, ad-supported streaming service for fans. While free soccer is always a huge win, the rest of the league’s TV rights are still heavily fragmented across a mix of traditional networks (like ESPN, CBS, and ION) and streaming platforms (like Prime Video and NWSL+).

Tuning in may seem incredibly overwhelming, but that’s exactly why I built this guide. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of the 2026 channel lineup, the best live TV plans to serve as your home base, and exactly which streaming apps you’ll need to catch every single match this year.

Jump to:

• NWSL channels
• NWSL TV schedule
• Best NWSL TV plans
• Watch the NWSL for free

What channels show the NWSL?

If you want to watch every single match this season, you’ll need a strategic mix of traditional channels and streaming services. You can catch the games across ABC, Amazon Prime Video, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ION, NWSL+, and Victory+.

Here’s my breakdown of the 2026 network landscape so you know exactly where to tune in.

• Victory+: This is the biggest broadcasting news for 2026. You can stream 57 live NWSL matches for free on this ad-supported platform. It hosts the marquee NWSL Sunday Night Soccer window and features incredible alternate broadcasts led by two-time World Cup Champion Kelley O’Hara and Coach Jackie J.
• Amazon Prime Video: You’ll need a Prime Video subscription to catch the league’s 25 Friday night regular-season matches, plus the NWSL Challenge Cup.
• ION: Saturday nights belong to ION. This year, they are expanding their coverage to feature eight massive tripleheaders throughout the season.
• ESPN & ABC: ESPN networks have nearly doubled their regular-season schedule this year, broadcasting 34 matches. Most of these games will anchor the new “Women’s Sports Sundays” primetime window.
• CBS & Paramount+: CBS will air 14 matches on its main network (simulcast on Paramount+), while CBS Sports Network will televise an additional 25 matches.
• NWSL+: The league’s free streaming platform is still around to catch any additional live games that aren’t nationally televised elsewhere.

2026 NWSL TV schedule

The 2026 NWSL regular season officially runs from March 13 to November 1. One big scheduling difference to note this year is that the NWSL Challenge Cup is happening mid-season on June 26, featuring a showdown between the Kansas City Current and Gotham FC in Columbus, Ohio.

Below is a list of the key dates on the 2026 NWSL calendar. For a closer look at individual matches, channel listings, and game times, check out the official NWSL schedule.

Best NWSL TV plans

YouTube TV is my top pick for NWSL viewing, offering six core league channels, multiview capabilities, and unlimited DVR storage. At $82.99/mo., the live TV streaming service’s price is on par with similar rivals like Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, but its features outshine the competition. Plus, it 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, NWSL+, and Victory+ subscriptions for the exclusive games across these platforms. Fortunately, both NWSL+ and Victory+ are free this season, but Prime Video plans start at $8.99/mo.

The combination of YouTube TV, Prime Video, NWSL+, and Victory+ will cost you at least $91.98/mo. But there are some free alternatives for watching most regular-season games. I highlight those options further down in the 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 shows which popular services carry ABC, CBS, CBS Sports Network (CBSSN), ESPN, and ION. (Note: All providers with ESPN also have ESPN2.)

Data effective as of post date.

*Channel availability may vary by location.

How to watch the NWSL for free

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. But channel reception depends on your location, which you can verify by running your zip code through the Antennas Direct Transmitter Locator.

You can also stream 110+ matches across NWSL+, Victory+, 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

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