NWSL Playoffs


The National Women's Soccer League Playoffs are a single elimination tournament among four teams in the National Women's Soccer League, ultimately deciding the winner of the NWSL Championship.
Since playoff games cannot end in ties, those are broken by two straight 15-minute extra time periods, followed by shootouts of best-of-five rounds plus extra rounds as needed if still drawn.

Format

The top four teams in the final standings at the end of the NWSL season qualify for the playoffs and are seeded in order of their record.

Tiebreakers

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If at least two teams tie in point total, when determining rank and playoff qualification and seeding, the NWSL uses the following tiebreaker rules, going down the list until all teams are ranked. Coin tosses or draw of lots will be used as the last resort if all other tiebreakers fail.
NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.

Playoff series history

2019 season

2018 season

2017 season

2016 season

2015 season

2014 season

2013 season

Records and statistics

Correct as of conclusion of 2019 NWSL Playoffs

Playoff results

Playoff Games and Win-Loss Record

TeamGames PlayedWL%Most recent appearanceMost recent title
North Carolina Courage651.83320192019
FC Kansas City541.80020152015
Western New York Flash431.75020162016
Portland Thorns FC954.55620192017
Seattle Reign FC624.3332019Never
Washington Spirit413.2502016Never
Chicago Red Stars615.1672019Never
Sky Blue FC101.0002013Never
Orlando Pride101.0002017Never

Appearances by team