2025 NWSL Schedule Unveiled: Spirit to Ignite Challenge Cup Kickoff on March 7!

Spirit to commence 2025 season with championship rematch versus Orlando Pride

Washington, D.C. (01/06/2025) – The 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season is set to begin with the annual Challenge Cup match on Friday, March 7, concluding with the NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 22, as announced by the league today.

The Washington Spirit will face off against the reigning champion and Shield holder, Orlando Pride, in the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup, a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship. Hosted at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium, this match will mark the Spirit’s second time competing in a Challenge Cup final.

A week after the Challenge Cup, the 2025 regular season will commence on Friday, March 14. Similar to 2024, all 14 teams will compete in a balanced 26-match schedule, visiting and hosting each league team once. The NWSL will continue to pause regular season play during international competition windows, allowing players to represent both club and country. This year, the league-wide players’ week off will take place from Monday, June 23 through Sunday, June 29.

Significant Dates

• Friday, March 7: 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup (Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit)
• Friday, March 14: 2025 regular season begins
• Monday, June 23 – Sunday, June 29: league-wide players’ week off
• Month of July: hiatus from regular season play
• Friday, August 1: resumption of regular season play
• Saturday, November 1 – Sunday, November 2: regular season concludes
• Saturday, November 22: 2025 NWSL Championship

The NWSL will reveal its complete 2025 regular season schedule and broadcast details at a subsequent date. This season will mark the second of the league’s historic four-year broadcast agreements with CBS, ESPN/ABC, Prime Video, and Scripps, featuring over 120 nationally televised matches.

The Spirit will enter 2025 aiming to build upon this year’s second-place finish in the NWSL. By virtue of outstanding performances from the team’s leading players and rookie stars, the Spirit achieved new single-season club records in wins (18, which is also a league record), points (56), and goals (51) in front of record crowds at Audi Field in 2024. Fans are encouraged to secure their place to watch the Spirit in the team’s next match at Audi Field by becoming 2025 Season Ticket Members here or by joining the priority list below:

 

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About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the leading professional women’s soccer team located in Washington, D.C., playing at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. Established on November 21, 2012, the Spirit is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the fastest growing sports league in the United States. The club is home to some of the finest players globally who have claimed championships for both club and nation. In 2024, the Spirit selected an exceptional class of rookies who are already shattering records and delighting fans. For additional details about the Spirit, please visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.