The NWSL on Thursday unveiled Gotham FC’s map for their title defense.
The reigning NWSL champions are set to open the 2026 season on March 15 against the expansion Boston Legacy FC at Gillette Stadium. It will be televised on ABC, Gotham’s first of 21 nationally broadcast matches.
Gotham has a chance to become only the third NWSL franchise to win back-to-back titles, joining North Carolina (2018 and 2019) and Kansas City (2014 and 2015). But they’ll have to do so while navigating arguably the most demanding NWSL regular season to date.
NWSL teams are playing a league-record 30 matches (15 home and 15 away) this upcoming season — up from 26 in 2025.
In addition, as defending champions, Gotham will vie for the in-season Challenge Cup against the Kansas City Current (last season’s regular-season first-place finishers) on June 26 in Columbus, Ohio.
Gotham’s NWSL home opener comes when they host the North Carolina Courage on March 21.
That will open a season-long three-game homestand, which also features matches against the Denver Summit FC on March 25 and Orlando Pride on March 29 — the latter being a rematch of the 2025 semifinals.
Fans eager for a 2025 championship rematch will have to remain patient as Gotham won’t host the Washington Spirit until July 15, one of four grudge matches during NWSL’s Rivalry Week. They are scheduled to meet a second time in Washington on Oct. 17.
Gotham also have a trio of three-match road trips.
Gotham are slated to close the regular-season schedule at home against the Utah Royals on Nov. 1 as part of the league’s Decision Day.
NWSL teams will be on hiatus for much of June due to a mandatory league break and the timing of the men’s World Cup, co-hosted in the United States.
Before kicking off the NWSL slate, Gotham — as holders of the CONCACAF W Champions Cup — will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
They are set to face Brazil’s Corinthians in the semifinal on Jan. 28 in London. If they win, they will advance to the final on Feb. 1 at Wembley Stadium, likely against Arsenal.
Gotham full 2026 schedule
Sat., March 14: at Boston, 12:30 p.m., ABC
Sat., March 21: vs. North Carolina, 6:30 p.m., ION
Wed., March 25: vs. Denver, 7 p.m., Victory+
Sun., March 29: vs. Orlando, 7 p.m., Victory+
Sat., April 4: at Kansas City, 4 p.m., CBS
Sat., April 25: vs. Bay FC, 1 p.m., CBS
Wed., April 29: at Chicago, 8 p.m., Victory+
Sun., May 3: vs. Louisville, 5 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Sat., May 9: vs. Boston, 6:30 p.m., ION
Fri., May 15: at Seattle, 10 p.m., Victory+
Sun., May 31: vs. Houston, 3 p.m., NWSL+
Challenge Cup — Fri., June 26: vs. Kansas City (in Columbus, Ohio), 8 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Sat., July 4: at San Diego, 8:45 p.m., ION
Fri., July 10: at Utah, 10 p.m., Victory+
Wed., July 15: vs. Washington, 7 p.m., NWSL+ (location TBD)
Sat., July 18: vs. Seattle, Noon, ABC
Fri., July 24: at Portland, 10 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Wed., July 29: at Bay FC, 10 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Sat., Aug. 1: at Houston, 8 p.m., NWSL+
Fri., Aug. 7: vs. San Diego, 8 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Fri., Aug. 14: vs. Kansas City, 8 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Sun., Aug. 23: at Angel City, 8 p.m., Victory+
Fri., Aug. 28: vs. Portland, 8 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Sun., Sept. 6: at Denver, 2 p.m., CBS
Fri., Sept. 11: at Louisville, 6:30 p.m., NWSL+
Sat., Sept. 19: at North Carolina, 6:30 p.m., ION
Fri., Sept 25: vs. Chicago, 8 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Sun., Oct. 4: vs. Angel City, Noon, ABC
Sat., Oct. 17: at Washington, 12:30 p.m., CBS
Sun., Oct. 25: at Orlando, 3 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Sun., Nov. 1: vs. Utah, 5 p.m.
