NWSL Challenge Cup

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Channels licensed to broadcast NWSL Challenge Cup in United States

CBS Sports » Seasons 2020-2023 CBS Sports has secured the rights to broadcast the NWSL Challenge Cup. CBS Television Network may air the highly anticipated final and additional matches as part of the agreement. Paramount+, the subscription streaming service, is also set to stream NWSL Challenge Cup games live. The coverage allows fans to enjoy the thrilling competition and support their favorite teams on television and online throughout the tournament. Available on: CBS CBS Sports Network Paramount+

fuboTV » Season 2022-2023

The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup became the first U.S. team sports tournament to take place after COVID-19 halted sports in America in 2020. The tournament was designed to be hosted in the Salt Lake City area of Utah by the now-defunct Utah Royals FC. Played behind closed doors for safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic, the one-month-long tourney involved eight of the nine National Women’s Soccer League teams, as the Orlando Pride was omitted days before after several players tested positive for COVID-19. Organizers came up with a plan to settle players, coaches, and staff in an “NWSL village” in Utah; the state was chosen thanks to its facilities and ability to deal with Covid-19, NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird explained.

The league's Medical Task Force approved for the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup to be played in home markets, beginning on April 9. Ten teams are set to participate in the tournament, including the league's latest expansion team Racing Louisville FC. Like Louisville, the Orlando Pride and Kansas City, who replaced the Utah Royals after the team ceded operations following harassment allegations against owner Dell Loy Hansen and staff, will make their debuts in the competition. All other information about the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup is under review at this moment, including broadcast information. For now, take a look at what the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup format looked like and broadcasters for reference as it is expected to look like the 2021 edition.

The initial 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup’s format went as followed:

There were supposed to be 25 games with each of the nine clubs playing four preliminary games and the top 8 teams advancing to the quarterfinals. However, the withdrawal of Orlando Pride one week to kick-off due to positive coronavirus cases recorded among their club's players and staff altered the NWSL Challenge Cup's set-up and fixtures.

Chicago Red Stars were tasked to play Washington Spirit in their opener, instead of the Pride whilst home team Utah Royals got paired against Houston Dash instead of Washington Spirit.

No changes were made regarding the knock-out stages: The semis and final took place at the same venue (Rio Tinto stadium). June 27, 2020, was the date for the opening match of the competition whilst the NWSL Challenge Cup final (Championship match) took place on July 26, 2020.

The tournament’s most notable absentee was the 2019 Women’s Ballon d’Or, IFFHS World's Best Woman Playmaker award and The Best winner, Megan Rapinoe. The USWNT superstar chose to sit out OL Reign’s NWSL Challenge Cup campaign, citing fears over the transmission of Covid-19 and the competition’s compact schedule. Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press and Portland Thorns' Tobin Heath also opted not to take part. USWNT captain Carli Lloyd pulled out as well due to "a minor knee injury". Other players decided to take opt-out for fear over COVID-19 and the racial tension that arose after the police officers killed George Floyd in May 2020.

All NWSL Challenge Cup matches were streamed live on Twitch outside of the US and Canada.
All games will be re-played on the CBS Sports Network in the US and Canada.

The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup was made globally accessible via the online platform Twitch. In the USA and Canada, CBS (NWSL Challenge Cup opener and championship), CBS All Access (every single NWSL Challenge Cup fixture), and CBS Sports Network (NWSL Challenge Cup repeat broadcasts) had viewers covered.