The 2024 NWSL Playoffs begin on Friday, November 8, across CBS Sports, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video platforms in the U.S. Eight teams will enter the tournament hoping to reach the NWSL Championship, which takes place on November 23.
Last season, NJ/NY Gotham FC won it all against Seattle Reign FC. But this year’s final regular-season standings saw major shake-ups, with the Orlando Pride claiming the NWSL Shield and expansion side Bay FC securing a playoff spot.
Keep reading to learn about the channels you’ll need to watch the NWSL Playoffs and what TV providers offer them.
What channels show the NWSL Playoffs?
You’ll need access to three channels to watch the complete 2024 NWSL Playoffs:
CBS will show the all-important NWSL Championship. But you can also watch any CBS matchup with a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, while ESPN+ will stream all ABC games.
2024 NWSL Playoffs TV schedule
This year’s NWSL playoff format features eight teams, expanding the competition to seven single-elimination games. Unlike last season, the top-seeded teams are not awarded byes.
Check out the full 2024 NWSL playoff schedule below to catch every moment of action on TV.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | |||
| Chicago Red Stars at Orlando Pride | Friday, Nov. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| North Carolina Courage at Kansas City Current | Saturday, Nov. 9 | Noon | CBS, Paramount+ |
| Bay FC at Washington Spirit | Sunday, Nov. 10 | 12:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Portland Thorns at NJ/NY Gotham FC | Sunday, Nov. 10 | 3:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Semifinals | |||
| NJ/NY Gotham FC at Washington Spirit | Saturday, Nov. 16 | Noon | CBS, Paramount+ |
| Kansas City Current at Orlando Pride | Sunday, Nov. 17 | 2:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN+ |
| NWSL Championship | |||
| Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Don’t miss the NWSL Skills Challenge! The second annual NWSL Skills Challenge took place on Friday, November 22, but you can watch the event on CBS and Paramount+ this Sunday, November 24. It’ll air at 3:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. ET based on your location, which you can check using TV Guide’s schedule tool.
Best TV plans for watching the NWSL Playoffs
If you’ve been watching the NWSL this year, you likely already have access to the three playoff channels. But if not, you may need multiple TV subscriptions to watch every game. That’s because there’s no way to get ABC, Amazon Prime Video, and CBS in one service. Instead, you must sign up for a Prime Video subscription while finding ABC and CBS elsewhere.
ABC and CBS are often available over the air using a digital antenna, as highlighted below in our free viewing options section. Otherwise, the cheapest way to stream the NWSL Playoffs is with standalone subscriptions to ESPN+ (for the ABC games), Paramount+ with SHOWTIME (for the CBS games), and Prime Video. That’ll cost you around $33.97 a month, and you can cancel after the championship game to avoid paying for a second month.
Which TV providers carry the NWSL Playoffs?
While you’ll need a separate subscription to get Prime Video, most TV providers carry ABC and CBS. Our table below illustrates each channel’s availability across some of the most popular TV services.
| Provider | Price | ABC | CBS | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $74.99–$164.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $74.99–$154.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $97.99–$147.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $32.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $40.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $28.00/mo. | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $45.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔* | — |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $45.00–$105.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $85.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/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.
* 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
CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $39.99 (as of 2/23/24 12:00 p.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+, Fubo, 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 playoff games on ABC and CBS—including the NWSL Championship—you can watch most matches without signing up for a monthly TV subscription. ABC and CBS are 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 ABC and CBS affiliates. 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 OTA Antennas page is a great resource for browsing more antenna options.
How to watch the NWSL Playoffs FAQ
Is the NWSL Playoffs televised?
Yes, NWSL playoff games air across ABC, CBS, and Amazon Prime Video. All CBS games will stream on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME—including the 2024 NWSL Championship.
What channel is the NWSL Championship Game on?
The 2024 NWSL Championship will air on CBS, with a kickoff time of 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 23. In the U.S., you can stream the game live using the higher-tier Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. Otherwise, NWSL+ will carry the game for international fans.
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.
Why you should trust us
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 2/23/24 12:00 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.
