NWSL Announces Preliminary Framework for 2022 Season

The National Women’s Soccer League today announced the preliminary competition framework for its historic 10th anniversary campaign. The 2022 plan features a 132-match schedule as well as the third annual NWSL Challenge Cup. 

Players are set to report to a six-week preseason camp beginning on February 1. The 2022 season will kick off on Saturday, March 19, with group play for the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Cup will feature three groups of four teams, playing double round-robin matches, semifinals and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7. 

The season will continue with each of the 12 teams in the league then playing home and away matches against every other team in the league, for the first balanced schedule in league history. Notably, the league has been able to build a schedule framework for 2022 that will significantly limit the number of games that occur during the FIFA windows, ensuring the league’s most accomplished players are able to compete for club and country with relatively few conflicts compared to recent years. 

Each team will play a total of 28 matches, 14 in home markets and 14 on the road. The full league schedule will be released at a later date. Six teams will qualify for the NWSL playoffs set to take place beginning in October 2022 with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye. The 2022 campaign will end with the NWSL Championship the weekend of October 28-30. 

As announced on Wednesday, December 15, OL Reign has made the move back to Seattle, Washington to its new home at Lumen Field. Season Tickets to OL Reign’s upcoming 2022 season are available for purchase now by visiting olreign.com/tickets or by calling (866)-997-3446. Ticket prices start at just $15 per match.