CHICAGO – The National Women’s Soccer League Tuesday announced CBS will air the opening match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup between two-time defending champions North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC on June 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The game marks the first-time professional women’s club soccer will be seen live on a national broadcast network in the United States. The CBS broadcast also will be streamed live on CBS All Access. Opening day continues with a matchup between the Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars on CBS All Access at 8 p.m. MDT (10 p.m. ET).

“The NWSL and our players are proud to lead the return to play in the confident and bold manner our fans have come to expect,” said NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird said in a statement. “The NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and their Secret deodorant brand will feature the best women soccer players in the world on an innovative stage built for the times. And thanks to CBS, more Americans than ever will be able to watch. I can’t wait to get started.”

Added Dan Weinberg, EVP, Programming, CBS Sports: “We are excited to showcase the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup across CBS, CBS All Access and CBS Sports Network and kick off the tournament with Portland Thorns FC facing two-time defending champion North Carolina Courage on CBS. Utilizing the strength of our platforms and reach across broadcast, cable and digital, we look forward to bringing fans world class soccer with all 25 games of this month-long tournament.”

All matches through the semifinals will be played at 12:30 p.m. ET) or 10 p.m. ET). The tournament opener and the final will air on CBS and will be streamed on the CBS All Access subscription service. All other games will be live on CBS All Access in the U.S. and Canada and will re-air on CBS Sports Network. Fans outside the U.S. and Canada can stream the full tournament on Twitch.

 

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Broadcast Schedule
**All games will be streamed outside the U.S. and Canada on Twitch**
**All games will re-air on CBS Sports Network**

DATE TIME (MDT) VENUE HOME AWAY PLATFORM
Saturday, June 27 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium NC Courage Portland Thorns FC CBS & CBS ALL ACCESS
Saturday, June 27 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Orlando Pride Chicago Red Stars CBS ALL ACCESS
Tuesday, June 30 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Washington Spirit Utah Royals FC CBS ALL ACCESS
Tuesday, June 30 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium OL Reign Sky Blue FC CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 1 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Portland Thorns FC Orlando Pride CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 1 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium NC Courage Houston Dash CBS ALL ACCESS
Saturday, July 4 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium OL Reign Washington Spirit CBS ALL ACCESS
Saturday, July 4 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Chicago Red Stars Utah Royals FC CBS ALL ACCESS
Sunday, July 5 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Sky Blue FC Houston Dash CBS ALL ACCESS
Sunday, July 5 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Orlando Pride NC Courage CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 8 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Utah Royals FC OL Reign CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 8 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Washington Spirit Portland Thorns FC CBS ALL ACCESS
Thursday, July 9 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Houston Dash Chicago Red Stars CBS ALL ACCESS
Thursday, July 9 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Sky Blue FC Orlando Pride CBS ALL ACCESS
Sunday, July 12 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Utah Royals FC NC Courage CBS ALL ACCESS
Sunday, July 12 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Portland Thorns FC OL Reign CBS ALL ACCESS
Monday, July 13 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Chicago Red Stars Sky Blue FC CBS ALL ACCESS
Monday, July 13 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Houston Dash Washington Spirit CBS ALL ACCESS
Friday, July 17 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Quarterfinal 1 CBS ALL ACCESS
Friday, July 17 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Quarterfinal 2 CBS ALL ACCESS
Saturday, July 18 10:30 AM Zions Bank Stadium Quarterfinal 3 CBS ALL ACCESS
Saturday, July 18 8:00 PM Zions Bank Stadium Quarterfinal 4 CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 22 10:30 AM Rio Tinto Stadium Semifinal 1 CBS ALL ACCESS
Wednesday, July 22 8:00 PM Rio Tinto Stadium Semifinal 2 CBS ALL ACCESS
Sunday, July 26 10:30 AM Rio Tinto Stadium Championship CBS & CBS ALL ACCESS

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.