Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC now have confirmed dates and stadiums for their 2026 NWSL playoff quarterfinals, but neither knows its opponent yet. In an October 29 announcement, the league confirmed U.S. broadcast arrangements for both matches and said the full bracket would be released after the regular season ends on November 1.
Confirmed dates, venues and broadcasts
| Home team | Date and kickoff | Stadium | U.S. broadcast | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Wave FC | Friday, November 6, 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California | Prime Video | To be determined after November 1 |
| Gotham FC | Sunday, November 8, kickoff not yet set | Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey | ABC, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers | To be determined after November 1 |
San Diego's kickoff time is already confirmed. For readers in Brasília, the match begins at midnight on Saturday, November 7. Gotham has identified two possible Eastern Time windows, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., without being assigned either slot. Neither should therefore be reported as Gotham's confirmed kickoff.
Why are the opponents still unknown?
All 16 clubs play their final regular-season games simultaneously on Sunday, November 1, starting at 5 p.m. ET (7 p.m. in Brasília). That Decision Day will settle the final standings and, with them, the quarterfinal matchups. Eight clubs qualify for the NWSL playoffs. In the first round, the top seed faces the eighth seed, second faces seventh, third faces sixth, and fourth faces fifth.
The top four teams host their quarterfinals. Gotham has already secured a top-two finish, while San Diego has also guaranteed itself a home match. Their stadiums are therefore confirmed, but their opponents cannot yet be named. The league says it will release all four pairings, kickoffs and broadcast assignments after Decision Day.
How can fans watch and attend?
The announced broadcast information applies specifically to the United States. San Diego's match will stream on Prime Video. Gotham's match will air nationally on ABC and ESPN Deportes, with streaming on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. The consulted announcements do not establish a match-specific broadcast schedule in Brazil, so these U.S. outlets should not be described as confirmed viewing options there.
Both clubs have posted ticket information on their official websites before their opponents have been set. The quarterfinal round runs from November 6 to 8, and the season's championship game is scheduled for November 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. This comparison reflects announcements checked through October 30, 2026, and may change after the final regular-season matchday.
Sources and references
- NWSL, October 29, 2026 quarterfinal announcement
- San Diego Wave FC, date, venue and Prime Video announcement (October 29, 2026)
- Gotham FC, venue, channels and possible windows (October 29, 2026)
- Gotham FC, official quarterfinal match page
- ESPN, Decision Day coverage announcement (October 26, 2026)
- Sean Hartnett, South Ward Central, local report (October 29, 2026)
