The NWSL Challenge Cup is back, and a new format will see group stage matches spread throughout the season.
The tournament begins on April 19 with the same geographic divisions used to create three groups of four teams apiece. While matches will largely be played on Wednesdays during April, May, and June, the NWSL will use the World Cup break to fit many games in on Friday and Saturday nights
The group stage will conclude on August 9, with each division’s winner advancing along with the runner-up with the most points. The top two teams will host semifinal matches on September 6, and September 9’s Challenge Cup final will be held at the home of the team with the best record of the two finalists.
Tournament sponsor UKG has put up what it calls the first-ever million-dollar prize pool for this edition of the Challenge Cup, though a breakdown of how that money will be dispersed is not yet known.
If teams are tied on points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker followed by goals scored. After that, it will go to head-to-head results between the teams that are tied, followed by goal difference in games between the teams that are tied and then head-to-head goals scored in games between the teams that are tied.
If teams are still tied, then it will go to a tiebreaker based on the number of yellow and red cards each team received and then, finally, to drawing of lots.
Here is how the 2023 Challenge Cup will play out.
East division
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| North Carolina Courage | 3 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | +12 | 11 |
| NJ/NY Gotham FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 11 |
| Washington Spirit | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 9 |
| Orlando Pride | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 2 |
East division schedule
Wed, April 19: Orlando Pride 1-1 North Carolina Courage
Wed, April 19: NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-0 Washington Spirit
Wed, May 3: North Carolina Courage 1-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Wed, May 10: Washington Spirit 4-2 Orlando Pride
Wed, June 14: Washington Spirit 1-2 North Carolina Courage
Sat, July 22: North Carolina Courage 6-0 Washington Spirit
Sun, July 23: Orlando Pride 1-3 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Fri, July 28: Washington Spirit 4-2 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Sat, July 29: North Carolina Courage 5-0 Orlando Pride
Fri, Aug. 4: Orlando Pride 0-1 Washington Spirit
Sat, Aug. 5: NJ/NY Gotham FC 2-0 North Carolina Courage
Wed, Aug. 9: NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-1 Orlando Pride
(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern, all broadcasts on Paramount+ unless otherwise indicated)
Central division
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Kansas City Current | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 | +10 | 13 |
| Racing Louisville | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 12 |
| Houston Dash | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 6 |
| Chicago Red Stars | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 4 |
Central division schedule
Wed, April 19: Houston Dash 0-2 Kansas City Current
Wed, May 3: Houston Dash 2-0 Chicago Red Stars
Wed, May 17: Racing Louisville 3-2 Kansas City Current
Wed, May 31: Chicago Red Stars 0-2 Racing Louisville
Wed, June 14: Kansas City Current 4-0 Chicago Red Stars
Wed, June 14: Racing Louisville 3-0 Houston Dash
Fri, July 21: Racing Louisville 2-0 Chicago Red Stars
Sat, July 22: Kansas City Current 3-1 Houston Dash
Sat, July 29: Chicago Red Stars 0-0 Kansas City Current
Sat, July 29: Houston Dash 1-0 Racing Louisville
Sat, Aug. 5: Kansas City Current 3-0 Racing Louisville
Sat, Aug. 5: Chicago Red Stars 3-0 Houston Dash
(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern, all broadcasts on Paramount+ unless otherwise indicated)
West division
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| OL Reign | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 14 |
| Angel City FC | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 8 |
| Portland Thorns | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 7 |
| San Diego Wave | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
West division schedule
Wed, April 19: San Diego Wave 1-0 Portland Thorns
Wed, April 19: Angel City FC 0-2 OL Reign
Wed, May 3: OL Reign 0-0 Angel City FC
Wed, May 31: San Diego Wave 0-3 OL Reign
Wed, May 31: Portland Thorns 3-2 Angel City FC
Wed, June 28: Portland Thorns 0-1 OL Reign
Wed, June 28: Angel City FC 2-1 San Diego Wave
Fri, July 21: Portland Thorns 4-1 San Diego Wave
Fri, July 28: OL Reign 1-0 San Diego Wave
Sat, July 29: Angel City FC 2-1 Portland Thorns
Sat, Aug. 5: San Diego Wave 1-1 Angel City FC
Sun, Aug. 6: OL Reign 0-0 Portland Thorns
(Home teams listed first. All times Eastern, all broadcasts on Paramount+ unless otherwise indicated)
Knockout rounds
Semifinal schedule
Wed, Sept. 6: Kansas City Current 0-1 North Carolina Courage
Wed, Sept. 6: OL Reign 0-1 Racing Louisville
Final
Sat, Sept. 9: North Carolina Courage 2-0 Racing Louisville
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