NWSL semifinal matchups confirmed as venue questions remain

The 2026 NWSL Playoffs semifinals are set, with Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit and Utah Royals all advancing to the final four.

Semifinal matchups confirmed but venue uncertainty remains

Gotham, the No. 1 seed, will host the No. 4 Kansas City Current, while the No. 3 Washington Spirit will welcome the No. 7 Utah Royals.

The semifinal schedule has presented some logistical challenges for the league, with stadium availability conflicts affecting both Washington and Gotham. The NWSL has national broadcast windows reserved for Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, which are unlikely to change.

As Jeff Kassouf reported for ESPN, Washington’s usual home, Audi Field, is unavailable on Nov. 14 due to a previously scheduled Division III college football game. Meanwhile, Gotham’s Sports Illustrated Stadium is booked that day for a friendly between the New York Red Bulls and Club América.

With both teams’ regular home venues subject to scheduling conflicts across the semifinal weekend, the league has yet to formally confirm the venues and kickoff times for either match.

Four teams chasing a championship

There are significant stakes for all four teams as they look to book a place in the championship match.

Gotham will look to build on its NWSL Shield victory and defend the championship it won last season. The club is seeking to become the first team since the 2019 North Carolina Courage to win the Shield and Championship in the same season.

Washington, meanwhile, is looking to reach its third consecutive NWSL Championship after finishing as runner-up in both 2024 and 2025.

For Utah, a semifinal victory would secure a place in the club’s first-ever NWSL Championship match. The Royals are already making history after reaching the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

Kansas City is looking to return to the championship for the first time since 2022, when the Current reached the final in just their second NWSL season before falling to the Portland Thorns.

The winners of the two semifinal matchups will advance to the 2026 NWSL Championship, scheduled for Nov. 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.