Breaking down the 2026 schedule of the reigning champions, Gotham FC | OneFootball

On Thursday, the NJ/NY Gotham FC 2026 NWSL schedule was unveiled. This season sees the regular season expand from 26 games in 2025 to 30 in 2026. This is due to the league adding two new expansion sides in Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC.

The format for this season is the double round-robin, something NWSL fans have grown accustomed to in recent years, with 15 home and 15 away games against the other teams in NWSL. Despite the increase in matches, the actual timeframe of the season is the same as last year, meaning Gotham FC will play four regular-season midweek games, up from just the one that was played in 2025.

The other big change comes in the form of a rescheduled and relocated Challenge Cup. Beginning as a substitute tournament for the regular season during the pandemic-affected 2020 season, the Challenge Cup has since been reformatted into a single-game matchup between the previous season's NWSL Shield and Championship winners. While originally scheduled for Friday, February 20, the match has been rescheduled for Friday, June 26. The main reason for the date change reportedly was due to the Bats' already packed schedule, thanks to the FIFA Women's Champions Cup games on January 28 and February 1.

The matchup between the NWSL Champions, Gotham and Shield winners Kansas City Current, will also be at a new location. Originally set to be played at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, it has moved to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio. There is more to cover, so here is a look at the 2026 schedule.

Gotham FC's 2026 schedule

Gotham FC will start their season as the inaugural opponents for expansion side Boston Legacy FC at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The match is set for Saturday, March 14 at 12:30 PM on ABC, the first of a staggering 21 nationally broadcast games for the team in 2026.

This is then followed by the first homestand, where the NJ/NY side will play three games. They will first host the North Carolina Courage on March 21 for the home opener. Afterward, the Bats will play against the second expansion side, Denver Summit FC, on the 25th. Finally, the ladies will end the homestand by hosting the 2025 playoff semifinal opponents, the Orlando Pride, on the 29th.

The league will then continue through to the end of May before taking off the month of June to avoid conflicting with some of the 2026 World Cup, with most of the matches taking place in the United States. The league then returns to play during the Independence Day weekend with Gotham travelling cross-country to visit San Diego Wave FC on July 4.

Their next two home matches following the league's return to play will see the club play away from their usual home in Harrison, New Jersey. On Wednesday, July 15, the Bats will welcome geographical rivals and the 2025 Championship game opponents, the Washington Spirit, to a yet-to-be-announced venue before playing Seattle Reign FC on the 18th at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island in Manhattan. Icahn was the venue for Gotham's 2-1 victory over C.F. Monterrey Femenil in last season's CONCACAF W Champions Cup group stage.

As of now, there is no official reason for the venue change. However, it is believed that the 2026 World Cup semifinals and final being at MetLife Stadium, which is just down the road from Sports Illustrated Stadium, that same week prompted the league and the club to move those home games to new venues. This would reduce congestion and make attending the games easier than if they were still in Harrison.

Other notable games in the second half of the season include the team's first-ever visit to Denver to take on the Summit on Sunday, September 6. The ladies will also return to Orlando for the first time since the postseason on Sunday, October 25. Finally, Decision Day is at home to Utah Royals FC, which is currently scheduled for Sunday, November 1.

When it comes to where these games will be broadcast, the breakdown is as follows: three games on ABC, four on CBS, three on CBSSN, four on Ion, four on NWSL+, five on Prime Video, and six on Victory+. Fans will be familiar with the vast majority of these broadcasters, but Victory+ is a new addition for 2026. They will broadcast a weekly Sunday night match as well as 32 additional matchups. The service is free to watch with additional details found here.