The NWSL quarterfinals are behind us. Only four teams remain in the hunt for the 2025 championship.
Regardless of the sport, the playoffs always bring unexpected results and this year’s NWSL playoffs were no different. After a dominant regular season, the Kansas City Current (21-3-2) were knocked out in the first round by No. 8 seed Gotham FC (9-8-9) in a shocking upset. Gotham’s win made them the first No. 8 seed to win in a match in the NWSL playoffs.
Despite the unexpected result though, the games themselves were absolutely thrilling, with only one quarterfinals match resulting in a two-score differential. Two games even went into extra time. If the quarterfinals were any indication, this year’s postseason is going to be one for the ages.
Here’s everything to know for the remainder of the NWSL playoffs:
2025 NWSL playoffs bracket
Quarterfinals
No. 8 Gotham FC 2, No. 1 Kansas City Current 1 (extra time)
No. 4 Orlando Pride 2, No. 5 Seattle Reign FC 0
No. 2 Washington Spirit 1, No. 7 Racing Louisville FC 1 (Washington won 3-1 in penalties)
No. 3 Portland Thorns FC 1, No. 6 San Diego Wave FC 0 (extra time)
Semifinals
All times Eastern
Game 5, Nov. 15: No. 2 Washington Spirit vs. No. 3 Portland Thorns FC, 12 p.m. | CBS
Game 6, Nov. 16: No. 4 Orlando Pride vs. No. 8 Gotham FC , 3 p.m. | ABC
Championship final
At PayPal Park in San Jose, California
Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6, 8 p.m. | CBS
All games will be available for viewing with NWSL+. The championship game will also be available to watch on Paramount+.
Stream the 2025 NWSL championship game with Paramount+
2025 NWSL schedule
The NWSL semifinals will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, 16. The first game will feature the No. 2 Washington Spirit hosting No. 3 Portland Thorns FC Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. at Noon ET. The game will be televised by CBS.
On Sunday, No. 4 Orlando Pride will host No. 8 Gotham FC – a shocking second home game for Orlando as very few people expected Gotham to defeat the top-seeded Kansas City Current. That game will start at 3 p.m. ET at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando Florda. The game will air on ABC.
The championship game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be played at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, and will air on CBS while streaming on Paramount+.
