Four teams from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational (CVI) to take part in preseason matches and training sessions alongside 12 men’s clubs, according to event organizers AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. Participating teams include Angel City FC, Portland Thorns FC, San Diego Wave FC, and expansion club Bay FC.
With the support of the NWSL and MLS, CVI is establishing a new preseason training model by bringing together 16 men’s and women’s clubs from across the U.S.
“We are thrilled to welcome NWSL teams to the Coachella Valley Invitational for the first time” said Kara Korber, Senior Director, Business Development for AEG and the LA Galaxy. “AEG builds exceptional preseason experiences for top clubs from around the world, and we are proud to have the opportunity to work with a new group of elite teams. We look forward to giving fans a chance to catch men’s and women’s professional soccer all in one place.”
The matches will mark the first time all three California-based NWSL teams will be at the same competition.
“We are looking forward to joining Angel City, Portland, and San Diego—three of the top teams in the NWSL—in the NWSL’s first appearance at CVI as part of our 2024 preseason,” said Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton. “The elite environment and facilities will provide our staff and players with the best opportunity to train and prepare to the highest level as we launch into our inaugural season, something we have always prioritized.”
“Giving our players the chance to train in different environments leading up to the NWSL season is extremely important to us, so we were excited to be a part of this invitational,” said Angel City FC General Manager Angela Hucles Mangano. “Any and all opportunities to showcase professional women's soccer in our home state are vital to the growth of the game here. Additionally, we look forward to facing our new Northern California rivals in Bay FC as they head into their first season.”
Passes for all matches are on sale to the public at CoachellaValleyInvitational.com. The schedule of NWSL matches taking place at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. is listed below.
COACHELLA VALLEY INVITATIONAL NWSL SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 20
San Diego Wave FC vs. Bay FC at 12:00pm PT
Saturday, Feb. 24
San Diego Wave FC vs. Portland Thorns at 11am PT
Angel City FC vs. Bay FC at 1:00pm PT