The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season starts with the 2025 Challenge Cup. This year’s match is a repeat of the 2024 NWSL Championship final, featuring Orlando Pride, the current champions, and Washington Spirit, the runners-up. This single game decides the Challenge Cup title and kicks off the NWSL season, with the regular season starting on the weekend of March 14th.
Let’s explore the NWSL Challenge Cup:
How to watch and odds
- Location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
- Odds: Orlando Pride +130; Draw +230; Washington Spirit +200
History of the Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was initially a short tournament to replace the regular season. The first tournament was held in Utah with most teams participating, except Orlando Pride who withdrew due to COVID cases. Players and staff lived in a bubble during the tournament. Since 2020, the Challenge Cup format has changed. In 2021 and 2022, it was a round-robin tournament with regional groups to reduce travel, held before the regular season. In 2023, it remained a group format but was played during the regular season, similar to other cup competitions globally. Last year, the Challenge Cup was changed again to a single final match between two top teams. Now in its sixth edition, it’s a highlight event featuring the league’s best. The current format pits the NWSL Championship winner and the NWSL Shield winner against each other for the Challenge Cup. If one team wins both titles, the Challenge Cup is a rematch of the previous NWSL Championship, as is the case this year.
Past Challenge Cup winners
- 2020 – Houston Dash
- 2021 – Portland Thorns FC
- 2022 – North Carolina Courage
- 2023 – North Carolina Courage
- 2024 – San Diego Wave FC
Who is playing?
Orlando Pride had an excellent 2024, winning both the NWSL Championship and NWSL Shield, along with team and individual achievements. They will play Washington Spirit, who were runners-up in both competitions. Key players for Orlando include Barbra Banda and Marta. Washington Spirit’s attack is led by Trinity Rodman and Leicy Santos.
What’s at stake?
Winning the Challenge Cup provides a trophy, recognition, and prize money. NWSL partner UKG provides the prize money. Last year, winning players received $3,500 each, and opposing team players received $2,200 each. The Challenge Cup MVP received an extra $2,000.
