The 2023 NWSL Playoffs begin on Friday, October 20, across CBS Sports platforms in the U.S. Six teams will enter the tournament hoping to reach the NWSL Championship, which takes place on November 11.
Last season, the Portland Thorns won it all against the Kansas City Current. But the tightly-contested 2023 regular season showed no clear favorite heading into this year’s playoffs.
Keep reading to learn more about the channels you’ll need to watch the NWSL Playoffs and what TV providers offer them.
What channels are the NWSL Playoffs on?
You’ll need access to three channels to watch the complete 2023 NWSL Playoffs:
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- Paramount+
CBS will show the all-important NWSL Championship. But you’ll need a combination of CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ to watch the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.
Pro tip: Viewers not based in the U.S. can stream every NWSL playoff game on NWSLSoccer.com. Also, TSN will air the semifinal and final rounds in Canada.
NWSL Playoffs schedule
Six NWSL teams are in this year’s playoffs. The regular season’s top two sides (San Diego Wave FC and Portland Thorns FC) automatically qualified for the semifinal round—bypassing the quarterfinals.
We’ve laid out the complete 2023 NWSL playoff schedule below. Otherwise, you can also visit the NWSL’s official website for further match information.
| Game | Round | Date | Time (ET) | U.S. channels | International channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel City FC at OL Reign | Quarterfinals | Friday, October 20 | 10:00 p.m. | Paramount+ | NWSLSoccer.com |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC at North Carolina Courage | Quarterfinals | Sunday, October 22 | 7:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network | NWSLSoccer.com |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC at Portland Thorns FC | Semifinals | Sunday, November 5 | 7:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network | NWSLSoccer.com |
| OL Reign at San Diego Wave FC | Semifinals | Sunday, November 5 | 9:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network | NWSLSoccer.com |
| NWSL Championship: OL Reign vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC | Final | Saturday, November 11 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ | NWSLSoccer.com |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NWSL Playoffs
Unfortunately, you’ll need two TV subscriptions to watch every game of the NWSL Playoffs. That’s because there’s no way to get CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ together in one service. Instead, you must sign up for a TV provider that offers CBS Sports Network and subscribe to Paramount+ separately.
We recommend Hulu + Live TV to get CBS Sports Network. Starting at $76.99 a month, the live TV streaming service has 85+ live channels and unlimited DVR storage. It also comes with ESPN+ at no extra cost, which is an excellent source for watching live soccer—including MLS, USL, and NCAA games. And maybe you’ll stick around longer, as the NCAA Women’s College Cup kicks off just weeks after the NWSL Championship.
If you’ve been watching the NWSL this year, you probably already have Paramount+. But if not, the streaming service starts at $5.99 a month and hosts UEFA Champions League and FA Women’s Super League coverage. It also has a massive library of movies and TV series for those sad days when soccer isn’t on.
The thing about Hulu + Live TV and Paramount+ is that you need a fast and reliable internet connection. If that’s something not available for your home, we list several TV provider alternatives in the next section.
Which TV providers carry the NWSL Playoffs?
Most TV providers carry CBS, but you may need a high-tier plan or a separate add-on to get CBS Sports Network. Our table below illustrates each channel’s availability across some of the most popular TV services.
| Provider | Price | CBS | CBS Sports Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $56.00–$139.00/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 | $92.99–$117.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| fuboTV | $74.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read fuboTV 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 | $59.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Vidgo | $69.99–$99.99/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 Playoffs for free
CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $59.99 (as of 10/16/23 9:15 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
You can watch the NWSL Playoffs for free by signing up for various free trials offered through streaming services. Paramount+, fuboTV, and YouTube TV usually offer free trials. But you’ll have to carefully plan your trial periods based on the NWSL playoff schedule to ensure you don’t end up paying for a service you don’t want.
With the NWSL Championship airing on CBS, you can at least watch the final game without signing up for a monthly TV subscription. CBS is available nationwide through local network affiliates, and an over-the-air (OTA) antenna connected to a TV will help you tune in.
Our favorite antenna is the multi-directional Mohu Leaf 50. This ultra-thin device has 4K capabilities, a 60-mile range, and an added amplifier for better indoor reception. But you’ll want to double-check what type of range you’ll need to pick up your local CBS affiliate. You can do that by entering your zip code into the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Reception Map Tool.
If the Mohu Leaf 50 can’t catch the long-distance channel signals in your area, you’ll want an antenna with a stronger signal reach. Our Best Antennas for Cord-Cutters page is a great resource for browsing a wider variety of antennas.
Final take
You can watch this season’s NWSL Playoffs unfold across CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+. Because the three channels are unavailable within a single TV service, you’ll need a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming provider and a separate Paramount+ subscription to watch every playoff game.
We recommend Hulu + Live TV as the best way to get CBS and CBS Sports Network. Its plans start at $76.99 a month and come with 85+ channels—including Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost.
Paramount+ costs as low as $5.99 a month, but pairing that amount with Hulu + Live TV’s price is a burden for anyone’s wallet. That’s why you might be better off trying one of our free methods of watching the NWSL Playoffs—like using an OTA antenna to catch the championship game.
How to watch the NWSL Playoffs FAQ
Is the NWSL Playoffs televised?
Yes, NWSL playoff games air across CBS Sports channels and platforms—including CBS, CBS Sports Network, and Paramount+. International viewers can watch live playoff games through the league’s website.
What channel is the NWSL Championship Game on?
The 2023 NWSL Championship will air on CBS, with a kickoff time of 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 11. You can also stream the game live on Paramount+ in the U.S. or on the league’s website outside the U.S.
Is CBS Sports Network on Paramount Plus?
No, you can’t watch CBS Sports Network live on Paramount+. While Paramount+ offers live channels like CBS and CBS Sports HQ, you’ll need a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming subscription to watch CBS Sports Network.
How many teams make it to the NWSL Playoffs?
The top six NWSL teams, based on the final regular-season standings, qualify for the playoffs. Additionally, teams that finish the regular season in first and second place automatically qualify for the playoff’s semifinal round.
Methodology
Our sports experts spent over eight hours examining the best ways to watch the NWSL Playoffs. We compared the prices, channel offerings, and features of the most popular TV services. With that information, we selected our viewing recommendations—focusing on channel availability and included benefits.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†Amazon.com price as of 10/16/23 9:15 a.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.
