The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has concluded match week 10 of its 14th regular season, entering a month-long break to honour collective bargaining terms and pause for the men's World Cup. The league hopes this hiatus will attract new audiences during the tournament.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman acknowledged logistical challenges, with seven of 16 markets hosting World Cup programming, but emphasised the opportunity: 'We're making lemonade out of lemons. Obviously, it wouldn't be our choice to not have access to our venues. It's challenging operationally and logistically … That said, there's an opportunity.'
The NWSL, home to 22 of 26 players in Emma Hayes' most recent USWNT squad, aims to capture football fans regardless of gender. Berman stated: 'Our specific focus for the 2026 season is to make sure that our games are in front of people who love elite soccer, agnostic to whether it is men or women, knowing that the NWSL is the best league in the world.'
Research supports this approach: a YouGov survey from the 2023 Women's World Cup found men were two to three times more likely to follow the tournament than women in some countries. ESPN's vice-president of women's sports programming, Susie Piotrkowski, noted that historical perceptions of women-only audiences are incorrect, with even gender splits in social media engagement and growth among men aged 18–34.
The NWSL will resume its regular season on 3 July, earlier than the men's World Cup final on 19 July, to capitalise on fan interest during the round of 32. The league also launched a 'Summer of Soccer' programme, including a branded bus tour and the 2026 Challenge Cup on 26 June between Gotham and Kansas City.
