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 |