Opening match between Houston and Chicago to air on CBS Sports Network; Final to air on CBS Television Network & stream on Paramount+
Twitch to stream all games internationally
CHICAGO (March 9, 2021) – The National Women’s Soccer League today announced the full schedule for the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret Deodorant. The 21-game tournament kicks off on April 9, 2021 with a rematch of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup final between Houston and Chicago at BBVA Stadium on CBS Sports Network, followed by Kansas City’s first match since joining the league in December 2020 against Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park at 10:30 p.m. EST on Paramount+, the premium streaming service from ViacomCBS.
The opener and three additional games will air on CBS Sports Network, the final will air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+, and every other game will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. All games will be available internationally on Twitch, including in Canada for all games that are not on CBS Sports Network.
“I’m so excited to kick off a new year in style with the 2021 Challenge Cup presented by Secret Deodorant, and thrilled to once again partner with our friends at CBS Sports to bring the best women’s soccer league in the world to our viewers,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird. “My thanks to CBS, Twitch and all of our partners, for continuing to invest in this league and showcasing these incredible athletes.”
"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the NWSL and build on the immense success across all platforms of the 2020 Challenge Cup," said Dan Weinberg, EVP, Programming, CBS Sports. "The 2021 Challenge Cup will showcase soccer's top players, and we look forward to bringing fans the action across CBS, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+."
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In their inaugural season, Racing Louisville FC will make their NWSL debut on April 10, 2021 when they host the Orlando Pride at Lynn Family Stadium. Following their first-ever match in Portland, Kansas City will travel to Chicago and face the Red Stars on April 20 before playing their first home game at Field of Legends on Monday, April 26, 2021 vs. the 2020 defending NWSL Challenge Cup champions the Houston Dash. The first Cascadia rival match of the 2021 campaign will come on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 when Portland Thorns FC host OL Reign on CBS Sports Network at 10 p.m. EST. The full schedule and broadcast details can be found below.
The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret Deodorant will see the league’s 10 teams organized into two divisions, East and West. Each team will play four matches in home markets, as approved by the NWSL’s Medical Task Force, followed by the top team from each division competing in the final slated for May 8, 2021 on CBS. The championship site will be determined by the league at a later date. For a full list of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup rules and regulations that differ from NWSL’s regular season policies and procedures, click here.
2021 NWSL CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY SECRET DEODORANT SCHEDULE
All games to stream internationally on Twitch
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>TIME (EST)</strong> |
<strong>HOME</strong> |
<strong>AWAY</strong> |
<strong>VENUE</strong> |
<strong>PLATFORM</strong> |
<p>Friday, April 9</p> |
<p>8:30 PM</p> |
<p>Houston Dash</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>BBVA Stadium</p> |
<p>CBSSN</p> |
<p>Friday, April 9</p> |
<p>10:30 PM</p> |
<p>Portland Thorns FC</p> |
<p>Kansas City</p> |
<p>Providence Park</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Saturday, April 10</p> |
<p>3:30 PM</p> |
<p>NC Courage</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>Sahlen’s Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Saturday, April 10</p> |
<p>7 PM</p> |
<p>Racing Louisville FC</p> |
<p>Orlando Pride</p> |
<p>Lynn Family Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Wednesday, April 14</p> |
<p>7 PM</p> |
<p>Orlando Pride</p> |
<p>Sky Blue FC</p> |
<p>Exploria Stadium</p> |
<p>CBSSN</p> |
<p>Thursday, April 15</p> |
<p>7:30 PM</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>Portland Thorns FC</p> |
<p>SeatGeek Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Friday, April 16</p> |
<p>7 PM</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>Racing Louisville FC</p> |
<p>Segra</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Friday, April 16</p> |
<p>10 PM</p> |
<p>OL Reign</p> |
<p>Houston Dash</p> |
<p>Cheney Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Tuesday, April 20</p> |
<p>6 PM</p> |
<p>Sky Blue FC</p> |
<p>NC Courage</p> |
<p>Montclair State</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Tuesday, April 20</p> |
<p>8:30 PM</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>Kansas City</p> |
<p>SeatGeek Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Wednesday, April 21</p> |
<p>7 PM</p> |
<p>Orlando Pride</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>Exploria Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Wednesday, April 21</p> |
<p>10 PM</p> |
<p>Portland Thorns FC</p> |
<p>OL Reign</p> |
<p>Providence Park</p> |
<p>CBSSN</p> |
<p>Monday, April 26</p> |
<p>6 PM</p> |
<p>Racing Louisville FC</p> |
<p>NC Courage</p> |
<p>Lynn Family Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Monday, April 26</p> |
<p>8:30 PM</p> |
<p>Kansas City</p> |
<p>Houston Dash</p> |
<p>Field of Legends</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Tuesday, April 27</p> |
<p>7 PM</p> |
<p>Washington Spirit</p> |
<p>Sky Blue FC</p> |
<p>Segra</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Tuesday, April 27</p> |
<p>10 PM</p> |
<p>OL Reign</p> |
<p>Chicago Red Stars</p> |
<p>Cheney Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Saturday, May 1</p> |
<p>7:30 PM</p> |
<p>NC Courage</p> |
<p>Orlando Pride</p> |
<p>Sahlen’s Stadium</p> |
<p>CBSSN</p> |
<p>Sunday, May 2</p> |
<p>12:30 PM</p> |
<p>Sky Blue FC</p> |
<p>Racing Louisville FC</p> |
<p>Montclair State</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Sunday, May 2</p> |
<p>4:30 PM</p> |
<p>Kansas City</p> |
<p>OL Reign</p> |
<p>Field of Legends</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Sunday, May 2</p> |
<p>7:30 PM</p> |
<p>Houston Dash</p> |
<p>Portland Thorns FC</p> |
<p>BBVA Stadium</p> |
<p>Paramount+</p> |
<p>Saturday, May 8</p> |
<p>1 PM</p> |
<p>Championship</p> |
<p>TBD</p> |
<p>CBS, Paramount+</p> |
