NWSL and Liga MX Femenil Unite for Inaugural Summer Cup: Schedule and Teams Revealed

The National Women's Soccer League and Liga MX Femenil have recently announced their collaboration for the inaugural Summer Cup, set to be a groundbreaking event in the realm of women's soccer. This unprecedented tournament will mark the first time that the two esteemed leagues join forces to celebrate the beautiful game. The Summer Cup is scheduled to commence on July 19 and will feature an exceptional face-off between some of the top women's teams in North America. The competition is poised to offer a thrilling experience for soccer enthusiasts and further elevate the stature of women's soccer on the continent.

Event Details

The Summer Cup is set to kick off on July 19 and will coincide with the NWSL's regular season break for the Olympics. However, the final leg of the competition has been scheduled to take place in the fall, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event. The semifinals of the Summer Cup will be hosted in Kansas City's CPKC Stadium on Aug. 6, while the finalists will gather at San Antonio's Toyota Field on Oct. 25, underscoring the prestigious nature of the tournament.

Participating Teams

A total of 14 NWSL teams are set to participate in the Summer Cup, bringing their top talent and fierce competitive spirit to the forefront. Meanwhile, the esteemed Liga MX Femenil will be represented by the six top-performing teams from the 2023 Clausura and Apertura tournaments. This selection of teams is based on their combined points totals, ensuring that the most deserving teams have the opportunity to showcase their prowess in this historic event. The 20 participating teams will be divided into four groups of five, with each group vying for a spot in the semifinals.

Host Venues

The Summer Cup is set to unfold at renowned venues, further adding to the grandeur of the event. Kansas City's CPKC Stadium, the designated host of the NWSL Championship this year, will witness the exhilarating semifinal matches, amplifying the significance of the tournament. Additionally, San Antonio's Toyota Field will provide a fitting stage for the final showdown, where the participating teams will vie for the coveted Summer Cup title. These esteemed venues are poised to deliver a world-class experience for players and fans alike, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament.

Television Coverage

To ensure that fans do not miss out on any of the Summer Cup action, the tournament will be extensively covered across the platforms of CBS Sports. Enthusiasts can catch all the exhilarating matches on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and CBS Sports Golazo Network, allowing a wide audience to be part of this historic sporting spectacle.

Schedule Overview

The inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup is packed with a series of riveting matches that will unfold over the course of several months. The group stage will feature an array of highly anticipated encounters, with each team vying for a chance to advance to the next round. The schedule is meticulously designed to offer an immersive and action-packed experience for both the players and the audience.

The group stage will kick off on July 19, with matches such as Seattle Reign vs. Utah Royals and Tigres vs. Pachuca. The subsequent days will see a flurry of matches that are set to enthrall soccer aficionados, including the highly anticipated face-off between Chicago Red Stars and NJ/NY Gotham FC. The schedule is designed to keep the momentum and excitement high, leading up to the semifinals on Aug. 6. The final, scheduled for Oct. 25, promises to be the pinnacle of the tournament, where the two best teams will battle for supremacy and etch their names in the annals of women's soccer history.

The NWSL and Liga MX Femenil's collaborative venture in the form of the Summer Cup is a landmark moment for women's soccer in North America. The tournament is not only set to showcase top-tier athleticism and sportsmanship but also to serve as a platform for the empowerment and celebration of women in sports. As the participating teams gear up to make their mark in this historic event, the soccer community eagerly awaits the unfolding of the Summer Cup, anticipating a display of skill, tenacity, and the sheer passion for the game.