As of October 3, 2026, Gotham FC and the San Diego Wave have clinched NWSL playoff spots, and eight teams are fighting for the remaining six places with three or four games left each. The top eight qualify, and from fifth to ninth only three points separate the chasing pack, so the final weeks of the regular season should be tense.
How NWSL Playoff Qualification Works in 2026
The 2026 season is the first with 16 teams, after Boston Legacy and Denver Summit joined the league, and each club plays 30 regular season matches. The top eight teams in the standings qualify for the playoffs, with higher seeds hosting. According to the league’s published key dates, reported by NBC Boston, the regular season ends on Sunday, November 1. The quarterfinals follow on November 6–8, the semifinals on November 13–15 and the NWSL Championship on Saturday, November 21. The league pauses for the October international window, with play resuming around October 18.
The Standings (as of October 3, 2026)
- Gotham FC – 54 points from 26 games (clinched)
- San Diego Wave – 51 points from 27 games (clinched)
- Washington Spirit – 46 points from 26 games
- Utah Royals – 45 points from 26 games
- Portland Thorns – 43 points from 26 games
- Angel City FC – 42 points from 26 games
- North Carolina Courage – 42 points from 27 games
- Kansas City Current – 41 points from 26 games
Just below the line sit the Seattle Reign (40 points from 27 games) and Denver Summit (35 points from 26 games). Chicago Stars, Racing Louisville and Bay FC have been eliminated. Standings are from Fox Sports and will change quickly.
The Contenders
Gotham FC
The defending NWSL champions lead the Shield race by three points, with a game in hand on San Diego. They beat Chicago 3-1 on September 25 to extend their home unbeaten run to 11 matches, according to the club. Juan Carlos Amorós’s team has depth in attack, with Jaedyn Shaw and Sam Kerr both scoring in that win.
San Diego Wave
The Wave became the second team to clinch on October 2, beating the Orlando Pride 2-1 with two first-half goals, as reported by the Associated Press.
The Middle Pack
Washington, Utah and Portland are well placed for home playoff games, but nothing is settled. The battle for the last spots is the story to follow. North Carolina moved above the line with a 1-0 win at Seattle on October 2, Angel City are on a six-game unbeaten run, and Kansas City’s attack came alive with a 4-1 win over Denver.
Players to Follow
- Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage): Scored her 20th goal of the season on September 27, tying Temwa Chawinga’s NWSL single-season record. Watch her movement between the lines and her composure in front of goal.
- Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC): Her brace against Chicago made her, at 21 years and 309 days, the youngest player in league history to reach 25 NWSL goals, according to Gotham.
- Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit): Reached 11 goals in September and tied the league record for game-winning goal contributions in a season, according to Yahoo Sports.
- Temwa Chawinga and Haley Hopkins (Kansas City Current): Hopkins scored a hat trick against Denver, with Chawinga creating chances behind her.
- Maiara Niehues (Angel City FC): Her ninth goal of the season set a club single-season record.
What Young Players Can Learn From the Playoff Race
Late-season soccer rewards players who stay calm with the ball under pressure and who can beat a defender when a game is tight. Watch for these things:
- Receiving to turn: Sanchez and Shaw often receive between the lines and turn quickly. Notice how they check their shoulder first.
- 1v1 attacking: Rodman and Chawinga attack defenders at speed. Count how many times they use a change of pace rather than a trick.
- Composure in the box: Look at how often the best finishers take one touch to set themselves before shooting.
Quick practice: Set up a 1v1 channel 10 yards wide and 20 yards long with a small goal at the end. The attacker must use a move, such as a step-over or a stop-and-go, before shooting. Play two-minute rounds and switch roles. For more ideas, see Coerver Make Your Move 2 and our look back at Coerver Coaching at the 2025 NWSL Championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams make the 2026 NWSL playoffs?
Eight of the league’s 16 teams qualify, with quarterfinals on November 6–8 and the championship on November 21.
Who has clinched an NWSL playoff spot?
As of October 3, 2026, Gotham FC and the San Diego Wave have clinched playoff berths.
Who holds the NWSL single-season scoring record?
Temwa Chawinga set the record with 20 goals, and Ashley Sanchez tied it on September 27, 2026, with games still to play.
Want to pull off moves like these?
Coerver Moves breaks down the 1v1 moves the world’s best players use, step by step on video, so you can practise them at home and use them in games.
