NWSL and Liga MX Femenil Announce New Competition

The National Women’s Soccer League and Liga MX Femenil have announced a partnership connecting the two leagues, highlighted by the inaugura NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup that will be organized this summer.

The 33-match tournament starts July 19 with all 14 NWSL clubs and the six teams with the most points achieved in Liga MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura during 2023: Tigres, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca and Tijuana.

“Today’s announcement marks a historic milestone for women’s soccer in North America and another significant step in the continued elevation of our global game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to partner with LIGA MX Femenil to create additional competitive opportunities for our athletes, unlock new rivalries, tap into our collective fanbases and continue our shared mission of raising the value, visibility and global standard of our sport.”

The tournament will consist of 30 group stage contests, followed by a four-team semifinal round the week of August 4. The championship match will take place the weekend of October 25-27.   The Cup will feature five groups, including four groups of three NWSL clubs and one Liga MX Femenil club, and one group with two clubs from each league. Each participating club will compete in a minimum of three matches.

The groups will be as follows:

• Group A: Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Utah Royals FC, Tijuana
• Group B: Angel City FC, San Diego Wave FC, Bay FC, Club América
• Group C: Kansas City Current, Houston Dash, Tigres UANL, Pachuca
• Group D: NJ/NY Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Chivas de Guadalajara
• Group E: Orlando Pride, North Carolina Courage, Racing Louisville FC, Rayadas de Monterrey

“The alliance we are announcing today is a great achievement for women’s football in our region and around the world,” said Liga MX Femenil Director Mariana Gutierrez. “Two great women’s professional football leagues coming together to advance the sport in our area, expand and grow the industry, build a new sporting identity and rivalry, strengthen partnerships beyond the pitch, inspire more people to join the movement, build community and open up new opportunities for players to have new windows of internationalization.”