San Diego Wave FC and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today that the Wave will kick off on Friday, March 15, against NJ/NY Gotham FC in the newly formatted 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup. The match marks the first-time the winner of the 2023 NWSL Shield, presented by CarMax, and the NWSL Champions, will begin the season facing off, as the Challenge Cup is now featured as a single-match showdown between the league’s most accomplished stars from the previous season.
The match is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey and will be streamed live on Prime Video.
Now in its fifth year as part of the league’s competition framework, the NWSL Challenge Cup will serve as the league’s official return to the pitch ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 regular season, highlighted by the additions of expansion sides Bay FC and Utah Royals FC and the beginning of the league’s landmark domestic media distribution deals.
“There is no more compelling way to open a new season than with a match featuring the league’s most exceptional athletes who are a true testament to the caliber of athleticism, skill and excellence the NWSL proudly embodies,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “Showcasing both the reigning champions and Shield winners, the Challenge Cup is a fitting launchpad for the world’s premier women’s professional league to kick off what is sure to be the most exciting season of matches yet.”
In addition, the NWSL Challenge Cup marks the start of Prime Video’s coverage of the NWSL as part of historic media rights agreements announced last season. More information regarding Prime Video’s coverage of the NWSL, including the platform’s match schedule and talent lineup, will be released in the coming weeks.
Details regarding the full 2024 NWSL regular season schedule are forthcoming
