What is the NWSL?
The National Women's Soccer League is the top division of women's professional soccer in the United States — sanctioned Division I by U.S. Soccer — and by wages, attendance and depth of internationals, the strongest women's league in the world. Gotham FC are the champions, having won the 2025 final 1–0 over the Washington Spirit as the lowest seed in league history.[1] [2]
How does it work?
Sixteen clubs from 2026 — expansion sides Boston Legacy and Denver Summit joining — play a 30-match regular season for the NWSL Shield, followed by playoffs to the NWSL Championship. Rosters are built by free agency under a salary cap, with international roster slots for foreign players; the college draft was abolished in the 2024 labor agreement.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
Founded in 2012 and first played in 2013 — the third and lasting attempt at American women's pro soccer — it has grown from eight clubs to sixteen, with expansion fees passing $100 million, on the engine of the U.S. national team's four World Cups.[1] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Gotham FC | Championship: 1–0 vs Washington Spirit (San Jose) |
| 2024 | Orlando Pride | Championship: 1–0 vs Washington Spirit (Kansas City) |
| 2023 | Gotham FC | Championship: 2–1 vs OL Reign (San Diego) |
| 2022 | Portland Thorns | Championship: 2–0 vs Kansas City Current (Washington) |
| 2021 | Washington Spirit | Championship: 2–1 (a.e.t.) vs Chicago Red Stars (Louisville) |
| 2020 | — | Season canceled (COVID-19); Challenge Cup played instead |
| 2019 | North Carolina Courage | Championship: 4–0 vs Chicago Red Stars (Cary) |
| 2018 | North Carolina Courage | Championship: 3–0 vs Portland Thorns (Portland) |
| 2017 | Portland Thorns | Championship: 1–0 vs North Carolina Courage (Orlando) |
| 2016 | Western New York Flash | Championship: pens vs Washington Spirit (Houston) |
NWSL champions of the last ten completed seasons.
Why does it matter?
The NWSL is where the world's best women's players compete — a roster place is the top professional credential in the American women's game, and its matches set global attendance and viewership records for club soccer.[1] [4]
References
- NWSL — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Gotham FC — Gotham FC wins 2025 NWSL Championship. Accessed August 2026.
- NBC New York — Key dates for the first 16-team 2026 NWSL season. Accessed August 2026.
- CBS Sports — NWSL builds around expansion and the 2026 World Cup. Accessed August 2026.