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Your Guide to The Playoffs

Everything you need to know about Angel City's 2026 playoff run, all in one place. Check back for ticket access details, important dates, and the latest updates as we chase the NWSL Championship together.

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Clinched · 2026 NWSL Playoffs

We're in

Angel City FC has clinched a place in the 2026 NWSL playoffs.

Seed TBD
Quarterfinal Venue TBD
Date Dates TBA
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Our story

Playoff history, in the making

In 2023, Angel City FC earned its first-ever playoff berth and took on OL Reign in a quarterfinal to remember. Three years later, we're back in the hunt and ready to write the next chapter.

A home playoff match would be a first for this club. Win the quarterfinal for the best chance to bring our home playoff match to Los Angeles. Your city, your roar, your seat in history.

2023 Playoffs NWSL standings

Quarterfinal recap

A taste of what's to come

Angel City held #4 Kansas City through regulation and two periods of extra time before falling 1-0. It capped the club's second playoff berth in history, and a young roster's first taste of the playoffs.

Angel City 0 – 1 Final after extra time Kansas City

Together in LA

Playoff Watch Party

Presented by

Angel City fans packed Skyduster Sports in DTLA to cheer on the team.

Angel City FC at Kansas City Current quarterfinal watch party, Saturday, November 7. Party starts 8 AM PT, kickoff 9 AM PT at Skyduster Sports, DTLA. Presented by BMO
TBD Date Coming soon
Doors TBD
Kickoff TBD

Official Angel City watch party

Quarterfinal Watch Party

Angel City FC
Kansas City Current

Families, friends, and four-legged fans filled the official playoff watch party, presented by BMO, and made every minute of the quarterfinal feel like a home match. Thank you for showing your support and bringing the noise!

Skyduster Sports 1124 San Julian St Unit 101, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Presented by Get an exclusive BMO Angel City FC Debit Mastercard®

Wear the moment

Playoffs Secured

Wear the crest and the moment. Our 2026 NWSL Playoffs gear is made for the Angel City FC family who have been with us all season.

2026 NWSL Playoffs

Playoff bracket

Seeds 1 to 8
The road to the final

Loading projected bracket…

NWSL

Playoffs 101

How the postseason works, from the cut line to the trophy.

8 Teams qualify
3 Rounds
1 Match per round
Top 4 Host a quarterfinal
Who makes the playoffs?

The top eight teams in the NWSL regular season qualify for a single-elimination tournament, seeded 1 through 8 by standings.

Quarterfinal matchups

1 vs 8, 4 vs 5, 2 vs 7, and 3 vs 6. The higher seed hosts in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds when venue availability allows.

Semifinals

Winner of 1 vs 8 plays winner of 4 vs 5. Winner of 2 vs 7 plays winner of 3 vs 6. Host rules are the same as the quarterfinals.

Playoff schedule

The quarterfinal round began the weekend of November 6. The semifinals follow the weekend of November 13, and the championship is November 21.

  • Fri, Nov 6: San Diego Wave FC hosted the Utah Royals, 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET, on Prime Video.
  • Sat, Nov 7: Kansas City Current hosted Angel City FC, 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET, on CBS and Paramount+.
  • Sun, Nov 8: Gotham FC hosted the Seattle Reign, 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET, on ABC and ESPN Deportes, streaming on the ESPN App for unlimited subscribers.
  • Sun, Nov 8: Washington Spirit hosted the Portland Thorns, 12 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. ET, on ABC and ESPN Deportes, streaming on the ESPN App for unlimited subscribers.
Tie-breaking procedures

If two or more teams finish the regular season on the same number of points, the tie is broken in this order:

  1. Goal differential
  2. Most total wins
  3. Most goals scored
  4. Head-to-head results (total points accumulated)
  5. Head-to-head most goals scored
  6. Least disciplinary points accumulated
  7. A coin flip for two teams, or a drawing of lots for three or more teams
What does clinching mean?

A team clinches once no remaining results can push it below eighth place. Seeding can still change until the final regular-season match, which is why every point matters for hosting.

If a match is tied

Two 15-minute extra time periods are played in their entirety, then a penalty shootout if the score is still level. Teams get one additional substitute in extra time and an additional substitution window, whether or not they have already used their full allowance.

Suspensions and yellow cards
  • Yellow-card suspensions earned in a player or team staff member's last regular season game do not carry into the playoffs, though the fine is still collected in 2026. Everyone starts the playoffs with zero yellow cards.
  • A red card in a team's last 2026 regular season game is served in their next regular season game they are eligible for.
  • Suspensions from the NWSL Disciplinary Committee that carry past the regular season are served during the playoffs, and into the 2027 regular season if needed.
  • Otherwise, there is no yellow card accumulation in the 2026 playoffs.
Official league resources

NWSL Playoffs hub for format, schedule updates, and rules.

  1. Top 8 qualify

    Finish in the top eight of the regular-season table to clinch a playoff place.

  2. Seeded by standings

    Final position sets the seed: 1 vs 8, 4 vs 5, 2 vs 7, and 3 vs 6.

  3. Higher seed hosts

    Seeds 1 to 4 host a quarterfinal. In the semifinals, the higher remaining seed hosts.

  4. One final

    The two semifinal winners meet in the NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on November 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

The ultimate prize

NWSL Championship

It all comes down to this. The 2026 NWSL Championship is coming to Audi Field in Washington, D.C. A champion will be crowned in the heart of D.C. at one of the league's most iconic venues. Don't miss your chance to see the biggest names in women's soccer go head-to-head for the NWSL's biggest trophy.

Championship week events

NEWSLETTER