The NWSL playoffs decide which team takes home the title.
Here's a look at the playoff format:
How many teams qualify for the NWSL playoffs?
The top eight teams in the standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs and are seeded in order of their record.
What is the format of the NWSL playoffs?
The playoffs consist of four quarterfinal matches. The top seed hosts the eighth seed and the fourth seed hosts the fifth seed on one side of the quarterfinal bracket. The second seed hosts the seventh seed and the third seed hosts the sixth seed on the other side of the bracket.
In the semifinals, teams are not reseeded and the winner of each quarterfinal match on their respective side of the bracket play each other.
When do the 2026 NWSL playoffs begin?
The postseason begins with the four quarterfinal matches on Nov. 6-8.