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NWSL playoff primer: Format, matchups and how to watch the games
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- NWSL playoff primer: Format, matchups and how to watch the games
The NWSL playoffs are upon us, with eight teams still alive in the fight for the 2026 championship.
Last year, the quarterfinal round started with a shock as the record-breaking Kansas City Current fell to the No. 8 seed Gotham.
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This year, Gotham topped the table and will need to use their experience as the underdog to ward off challenges now that they go into the playoffs as the favorite.
Here's everything you need to know about the NWSL postseason:
Read More: What to know about each NWSL quarterfinal
NWSL playoff format
The NWSL has a straight-forward, single-elimination playoff structure with the better-seeded team hosting in each round. That could cause some strange locations in the semifinal round, but the quarterfinals start Friday, Nov. 6 and will be at the typical venues for Gotham, San Diego Wave, Washington Spirit and the Current.
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There is no reseeding after the first round with the winner of the No. 1 vs. No. 8 game playing the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 game, and the other quarterfinalist winners meeting each other regardless of seed.
What is the NWSL playoff schedule?
QUARTERFINALS
■ Nov. 6
San Diego Wave FC vs. Utah Royals, 10 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
■ Nov. 7
Kansas City Current vs. Angel City FC, Noon ET (CBS, Paramount+ )
■ Nov. 8
Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign, 12:30 p.m. (ABC, ESPN Deportes)
Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, 3 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN Deportes)
SEMIFINALS
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Nov. 14 and Nov. 15
FINAL
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Nov. 21 at Audi Field in Washington D.C.
Stream NWSL playoff games on Fubo
NWSL final 2026 season standings
How to watch the NWSL playoffs
The NWSL playoffs will air on a number of TV channels and streaming services, with quarterfinal matches on Amazon Prime, CBS/Paramount+ and ABC/ESPN Deportes.
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The final will air on CBS/Paramount+.
All playoff games on CBS and ABC can also be streamed on Fubo .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL playoff primer: Format, matchups and how to watch the games
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