The 2025 NWSL Playoffs are championship-bound after an intense semifinal round. Last weekend was packed with drama, as the Washington Spirit punched their ticket to the final by taking out the Portland Thorns in a 2–0 battle. But the real story is Gotham FC, who continued their unbelievable run by stunning the Orlando Pride (and breaking my heart) in the dying minutes of Sunday’s clash.
Now, the Spirit will face Gotham for the title on Saturday, November 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET. As a fan, this is the one you can’t miss. To help you get ready, I’ve got the full broadcast details and my expert tips on the best way to watch below.
What channels show the NWSL Playoffs?
You’ll need access to at least three different channels and platforms to watch the complete 2025 NWSL Playoffs.
- ABC (2 quarterfinals, 1 semifinal)
- Amazon Prime Video (1 quarterfinal)
- CBS (1 quarterfinal, 1 semifinal, and the NWSL Championship)
Pro tip: Games airing on ABC will stream simultaneously on ESPN+ via the new ESPN Select/Unlimited platform. Meanwhile, all games airing on CBS will stream live on Paramount+ Premium.
2025 NWSL Playoffs TV schedule
This year’s NWSL playoff format is all about high-stakes drama. We’ve got the top eight teams in a single-elimination tournament, and my favorite part of this setup? The top-seeded teams don’t get a bye, meaning every club enters the must-win chaos from the start.
Check out the full 2025 NWSL playoff schedule below to find all game times and channel listings.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | |||
| (5) Seattle Reign at (4) Orlando Pride | Friday, Nov. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| (7) Racing Louisville at (2) Washington Spirit | Saturday, Nov. 8 | Noon | CBS, Paramount+ |
| (8) Gotham FC at (1) Kansas City Current | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 12:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| (6) San Diego Wave at (3) Portland Thorns | Sunday, Nov. 9 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Semifinals | |||
| (3) Portland Thorns at (2) Washington Spirit | Saturday, Nov. 15 | Noon | CBS, Paramount+ |
| (8) Gotham FC at (4) Orlando Pride | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| NWSL Championship | |||
| (8) Gotham FC vs. (2) Washington Spirit | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NWSL Playoffs
If you’ve been watching the NWSL all season, you likely already have access to every playoff channel. But if you’re just joining in, you’ll need a clear viewing strategy. That’s because no single TV service includes ABC, CBS, and Amazon Prime Video.
The most straightforward way to watch every playoff game is to build your own “à la carte” streaming bundle. You’ll need three separate subscriptions: Prime Video (for the Prime-exclusive quarterfinal), a Paramount+ Premium plan (for all the CBS games), and an ESPN Select subscription (which gets you the ESPN+ simulcasts of the ABC games). This entire setup will cost you around $35 a month, and you can cancel everything right after the championship.
There’s also one other, even cheaper way to watch most of the games. Since the ABC and CBS matches are on broadcast TV, a digital antenna can get you six of the seven playoff games for free. I cover that viewing method in more detail in the Watch for Free section below.
Which TV providers carry the NWSL Playoffs?
For those who prefer the traditional cable or satellite route, you’re still in good shape. You’ll need a separate subscription for the Prime Video match, but most major TV providers (like DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Xfinity) carry both ABC and CBS.
To simplify things, I’ve broken down the channel availability for 13 popular services in the table below.
| Provider | Price | ABC | CBS | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| Stream with DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read Stream with DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔* | — |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | — | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* Available only in select markets. Without ABC, Sling TV subscribers can watch ESPN on ABC broadcasts via ESPN3.
How to watch the NWSL Playoffs for free
You have two fantastic strategies for watching the NWSL Playoffs for free: using a digital antenna and taking advantage of free trials.
I prefer using an antenna because I live within range of my local ABC and CBS affiliates, which will show six of the seven playoff games. An antenna is a simple, one-time purchase that gets you the vast majority of the tournament for free. You just need to live within a 70-mile radius of an affiliate and have no major physical obstructions near your home.
Heads up: Before you buy an antenna, I recommend using the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antennas Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator to see which channels are available near you.
For the one quarterfinal that streams exclusively on Prime Video, your best bet is to sign up for the service’s 30-day free trial. Live TV streaming services like DIRECTV and Fubo also offer free trials to pick up ABC and CBS if the antenna method doesn’t work for you.
How to watch the NWSL Playoffs FAQ
How many teams go to the NWSL Playoffs?
The top eight NWSL teams, based on the final regular-season standings, qualify for the playoffs. The league expanded its postseason format in 2024 to coincide with the introduction of expansion teams Bay FC and the Utah Royals.
What channel is the NWSL Championship Game on?
The 2025 NWSL Championship will air on CBS on Saturday, November 22, at 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also stream the game live on Paramount+ Premium.
How can I watch the NWSL Playoffs internationally?
Internationally, NWSL playoff matches will mainly stream for free on NWSL+. But the league has global media partnerships in certain countries and territories that may impact NWSL+ access. For example, TNT Sports will air all playoff games in the U.K.
Can I watch the NWSL Playoffs on Paramount+?
Yes, you can watch three NWSL playoff games on Paramount+. The service's higher-tier Premium plan will stream every playoff match that airs on CBS, which includes one quarterfinal, one semifinal, and the NWSL Championship.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, has been an avid follower of the NWSL since 2016 and has been covering the league professionally since 2019. For this guide, he combined that deep fan perspective with hours of expert research, cross-referencing the official 2025 playoff bracket with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Taylor based his recommendations on finding the most cost-effective and convenient ways for you to watch every single match.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
