2022 NWSL Challenge Cup coverage details

The National Women’s Soccer League has announced its full telecast schedule ahead of the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.

CBS Sports continues its partnership with NWSL. Therefore, Challenge Cup games air on CBS, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. For those not based in the United States, games stream on Twitch, a platform traditionally used for video game streaming.

NWSL CEO Marla Messing says the relationship between the NWSL and CBS Sports allows millions to see the world’s best women’s soccer players.

“We’re thrilled to work with our friends at CBS Sports to bring another NWSL Challenge Cup to our viewers,” claimed Messing.

“The Challenge Cup is an exciting opener to our 10th anniversary season and thanks to CBS Sports’ partnership, more tournament matches than ever will be available to fans across the country. We look forward to once again showcasing the best women’s soccer league on the air.”

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

Originally, the NWSL Challenge Cup started as the league’s reboot following the COVID-19 pandemic. The league opted for a tournament-style competition rather than a shortened season. Interestingly, this allowed the NWSL to be the first top-tier sports league to return to action in the United States, taking place in late May 2020.

However, the NWSL adopted the tournament as an annual competition. Therefore, the 2022 Challenge Cup is the third rendition of the competition’s young history.

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All 12 of the NWSL clubs participate in the 2022 Challenge Cup. This includes the NWSL’s two expansion teams debuting this year. Angel City FC from Los Angeles and San Diego Wave FC.

Dan Weinberg, the Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS Sports, says the first two editions of the tournaments provided great success. He looks forward to expanding that with the 2022 Challenge Cup.

“The first two editions of the NWSL Challenge Cup were incredibly successful. We look forward to bringing fans the action for a third straight year from this exciting and competitive tournament,” Weinberg said.

“We are happy to expand our coverage across all CBS Sports platforms with more Challenge Cup games than ever before, including three matches on The CBS Television Network, four matches on CBS Sports Network, and all others on Paramount+.”

Tournament Format and Coverage

The NWSL Challenge Cup precedes the regular season. Spanning just under two months, the 12 teams divide into three groups of four. Each side plays the other teams in their groups home and away. Then, the three group winners, as well as the best second-place team, advance to the knockout stage. From there, it is single-elimination, with the two semifinal winners playing on May 7 for the title.

Beginning on Friday, March 18th, the first 18 matches of the tournament solely stream on Paramount+. Local CBS stations air the fixture on April 2 between San Diego Wave and Angel City FC, the two expansion teams. Additionally, this game is also on Paramount+.

In total, three games are on CBS throughout the competition. Joining the game on April 2 is a game on April 23 with North Carolina Courage playing Washington Spirit. Then, the Championship is also on CBS.

CBS Sports Network will also exclusively broadcast four matches. An April 15th match between Kansas City Current and Houston Dash begins the network’s coverage of the tournament. Also airing on CBS Sports Network is the April 17th game between OL Reign and Angel City FC, April 24th’s match between Houston Dash and Racing Louisville FC, as well as the first Semi-Final game on May 4th at 8:00PM (EST).

Outside of the four matches on CBS Sports Network, every other match of the tournament will be available to stream on Paramount+.