The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is in its 11th season, and there’s no shortage of excitement. Starting this year, the NWSL Challenge Cup is running concurrently with the NWSL regular season—meaning the stakes are higher than ever for teams to win silverware.
To watch NWSL games, you’ll need access to CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+. Different viewing options exist for international fans, which we highlight in the sections below.
Keep reading for more NWSL channel details and TV provider recommendations.
What channel is the NWSL on?
In 2023, you can watch all 176 NWSL matches across CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+. Viewers in Canada can watch 70 games on TSN and TSN+, while anyone outside the U.S. can watch games on NWSLSoccer.com.
Pro tip: You can watch full-match replays of NWSL games from the current season on Paramount+. CBS and Paramount+ games become available on demand shortly after full time, while CBS Sports Network games are available 24–48 hours after the final whistle.
NWSL games on local TV
Some NWSL clubs have deals with local TV stations and regional sports networks to broadcast select regular-season games. While these games still appear on CBS Sports platforms nationally, the local broadcasts offer a unique viewing experience catered to the home team audience.
Below is a list of NWSL teams with a local broadcast partner in 2023. Some channel numbers may vary based on your TV provider.
| Team | Local channel | Channel # | TV market | Game count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel City FC | Bally Sports SoCal | Varies | Southern California-Las Vegas Valley-Hawaii | 8 |
| Chicago Red Stars | WCIU-TV (The U) | 26.2 | Chicago | 6 |
| Houston Dash | AT&T SportsNet Southwest | Varies | Southeast Texas | 8 |
| Kansas City Current | KMCI-TV | 38 | Kansas City | 7 |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC | MSG Networks | Varies | Mid-Atlantic region | 8 |
| North Carolina Courage | — | — | — | — |
| OL Reign | KZJO (FOX 13+) | 22 | Seattle-Tacoma | 8 |
| Orlando Pride | WRBW (FOX 35 PLUS) | 65 | Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne | 7 |
| Portland Thorns FC | KPDX (FOX 12 PLUS) | 49 | Portland | 8 |
| Racing Louisville FC | WAVE-DT3 (Circle) | 3.3 | Louisville | 7 |
| San Diego Wave FC | KSWB-TV (FOX 5) | 69 | San Diego | 6 |
| Washington Spirit | NBC Sports Washington | Varies | Mid-Atlantic region | 9 |
Data effective as of post date.
NWSL schedule: key events and channels
The 2023 NWSL season runs from March to November, with a quick break beginning in July for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
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 | Thursday, January 12 | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, CBS Sports HQ |
| NWSL Challenge Cup Final | Saturday, September 9 | CBS, Paramount+ |
| NWSL Playoffs | Sunday, October 22 | CBS, Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| NWSL Championship | Saturday, November 11 | CBS, Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NWSL
Every NWSL fan in the U.S. will need a Paramount+ subscription (starting at $4.99 per month) to watch most games this season. The only matchups that won’t stream live on Paramount+ are the 23 that air on CBS Sports Network.
The cheapest way to get CBS Sports Network is with Hulu + Live TV (starting at $69.99 per month). That’s a hefty price for 23 games, though some of those include the NWSL Playoffs.
On the bright side, Hulu + Live TV has FOX Sports channels for watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer. You also get Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost. ESPN+ is especially beneficial because it carries lots of college soccer—including the NCAA Soccer Championship.
Which TV providers show NWSL games?
Many TV providers show NWSL games because most carry CBS and CBS Sports Network. If you prefer scouting TV plans further, check out the table below to see which popular services have CBS and CBS Sports Network.
| Provider | Price | CBS | CBS Sports Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $64.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $79.99–$109.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read fuboTV review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99–$82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$115.00/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 | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $59.95–$79.95/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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 catch the six games that air on CBS this season. While that’s not a lot of coverage, two CBS matchups are the NWSL Challenge Cup Final and the NWSL Championship.
You can also stream some NWSL games for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network via CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, and Pluto TV. Launched on April 11, CBS Sports Golazo Network is a 24-hour streaming channel dedicated to all things soccer. Paramount+ subscribers will have in-app access to the channel, but freebie fans can enjoy it on Pluto TV alongside a fun library of free shows and movies.
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, and fuboTV.
How to watch the NWSL FAQ
How can I watch the NWSL without Paramount+?
While most NWSL games stream exclusively on Paramount+, you can watch select matchups with any TV plan that includes CBS and CBS Sports Network. CBS is also accessible in most areas using a TV antenna to pick up your local station.
Is the NWSL Challenge Cup on TV?
Yes, you can watch the NWSL Challenge Cup games on CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+. Like the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, the Challenge Cup runs as an in-season competition. Semifinal matches will occur on Wednesday, September 6, before the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, September 9.
How can I watch women’s soccer without cable?
You can watch women’s soccer without cable across various streaming services. Paramount+ is our favorite for women’s soccer because it has the most NWSL games and select Women’s Super League matches. But other services like ESPN+, HBO Max, and Peacock also carry women’s soccer.
Can I watch women’s soccer on Peacock?
Yes, you can stream Spanish-language coverage of the U.S. Women’s National Team (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.
