The 2026 NWSL regular season might be over, but the fun is just getting started after an exciting NWSL Decision Day. All 16 NWSL clubs kicked off at once during a final afternoon of the regular season with plenty of high stakes on the line. This year's edition arrived with the NWSL Shield still up for grabs, awarded to the team with the most points, one final playoff spot in play, and multiple home-field advantages to settle.
When the final whistle sounded, it was Gotham FC that lifted the NWSL Shield, with San Diego Wave finishing just behind in second place, and Seattle Reign grabbing the final playoff spot. Here are the big takeaways from the chaotic day: Gotham FC 2, Utah Royals 0 San Diego Wave 1, Bay FC 0Kansas City Current 2, Racing Louisville 0 Washington Spirit 2, Chicago Stars 0 Seattle Reign 1, Orlando Pride 0Angel City 4, Boston Legacy 1 North Carolina Courage 1, Denver Summit 0 Portland Thorns 2, Houston Dash 0 With decision day done and dusted, the final results confirm the 2026 NWSL playoff bracket. More decision-day wins by Washington Spirit, 2-0 over Chicago, and Kansas City Current's 2-0 win against Racing Louisville confirm they get to host at least one home playoff game.
First-place Gotham and second-place San Diego will also host, and if they win in the quarters, they will host semifinal fixtures. San Diego, Angel City, and Kansas City all step into the playoffs on hot streaks. All three clubs are unbeaten in their last five games, with the Current on a five-game win streak.
NWSL playoffs begin Nov. 6, and the 2026 NWSL Championship will be played on Nov. 21. Fans can watch the biggest game of the year on CBS. THE 2026 @NWSL PLAYOFFS ARE SET 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BtB3Wme9Uh Friday, Nov. 6San Diego Wave vs.
Utah Royals, 10 p.m.Saturday, Nov. 7KC Current vs. Angel City, 12 p.m.Sunday, Nov. 8Gotham FC vs. Seattle Reign, 12:30 p.m.Washington Spirit vs.
Gotham needed only a draw to clinch their first-ever Shield in club history, but they did more than that and won 2-0 at home at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The club heads into the playoffs as the top seed after winning previous NWSL Championships as the lowest-ranked eighth seed. The East Coast side has been a force to be reckoned with, winning the Shield during the longest season ever, the league's first 30-match schedule.
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