A look at the format and schedule of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup
Following our preview of each club heading into the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, we take a look at the overall schedule and setup of the summer tournament. Yesterday, the NWSL announced some of the details regarding the tournament, including roster size, awards, and competition structure. Below are some of the key details, but you can read all of the competition’s rules and regulations here.
- Rosters between 22-28 players. No player not on the official roster can play.
- No match will have additional extra time. The elimination matches that are tied at the final whistle will go straight to PKs.
- Five subs per match and only three stoppages to make those changes.
All eight remaining NWSL teams, after the Orlando Pride withdrawal, will play four round-robin matches at Zions Bank Stadium (download the first-round schedule from KeeperNotes.com). Then, the eight teams will be placed in a seeded bracket. The quarterfinals will be July 17th and 18th. The venue will change to nearby Rio Tinto Stadium for the July 22nd semifinals and the July 26th final. Below are the 2019 head-to-head records vs. their round-robin opponents.
The full NWSL Challenge Cup schedule is below and all matches can be viewed on CBS All-Access ($5.99 monthly subscription required) with the opener and final also available on CBS. Fans outside of Canada and the United States will need to tune in using Twitch.
Saturday, June 27
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
North Carolina Courage vs. Portland Thorns FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Chicago Red Stars vs. Washington Spirit
Tuesday, June 30
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Houston Dash vs. Utah Royals FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
OL Reign vs. Sky Blue FC
Wednesday, July 1
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Chicago Red Stars vs. Portland Thorns FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
NC Courage vs. Washington Spirit
Saturday, July 4
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Sky Blue FC vs. Utah Royals FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Houston Dash vs. OL Reign
Sunday, July 5
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Chicago Red Stars vs. North Carolina Courage
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Portland Thorns FC vs. Washington Spirit
Wednesday, July 8
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
OL Reign vs. Utah Royals FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Houston Dash vs. Sky Blue FC
Sunday, July 12
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Chicago Red Stars vs. Utah Royals FC
Monday, July 13
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
North Carolina Courage vs. Sky Blue FC
Friday, July 17
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Quarterfinal #1
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Quarterfinal #2
Saturday, July 18
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Quarterfinal #3
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Quarterfinal #4
Wednesday, July 22 (At Rio Tinto Stadium)
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Semifinal #1
10:00 PM Eastern Time | 7:00 PM Pacific Time
Semifinal #2
Sunday, July 26 (At Rio Tinto Stadium)
12:30 PM Eastern Time | 9:30 AM Pacific Time
2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship (Live on CBS & CBS All-Access)
