The National Women’s Soccer League on Monday released the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup schedule, officially setting Racing Louisville FC’s first six games of the year.
NWSL clubs were divided into three geographically aligned pods with Racing slotted in the Central alongside the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash and Kansas City Current. Each of those teams will in play in round-robin fashion once home and away before the group winner advances to a playoff semifinal.
Racing kicks off the Challenge Cup with back-to-back home games on Fridays — March 18 (Kansas City) and March 25 (Houston) — before a Saturday contest April 16 (Chicago) at Lynn Family Stadium.
Single-game Challenge Cup tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 15. Season ticket members will get complimentary admission to Challenge Cup opener with the choice to opt out for the remaining two home games. Members will receive more information via email.
Fans can visit www.racingloufc.com/racingloufc/2022-schedule to sync games to their digital calendars.
Other Challenge Cup divisions include the East (NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit) and West (Angel City FC, OL Reign, Portland Thorns FC and San Diego Wave FC). Along with group winners, the top-earning runner-up will qualify for the semifinal round.
The Challenge Cup’s final will be played Saturday, May 7, on CBS. Other broadcast details will be announced later.
This marks the Challenge Cup’s third iteration. In 2020, the NWSL launched it as a bubble tournament to resume play amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Challenge Cup returned in 2021 as a preseason event.
Following this year’s tournament, teams will move on to their 22-game regular season that will see a balanced schedule with a game apiece home and away versus every other team in the league.
Racing’s 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Schedule
(Home games in bold. All times Eastern.)
March 18 vs. KC Current (7:30 p.m.)
March 25 vs. Houston Dash (7:30 p.m.)
March 30 at Chicago Red Stars (7:30 p.m.)
April 2 at KC Current (3 p.m.)
April 16 vs. Chicago Red Stars (7:30 p.m.)
Sunday April 24 at Houston Dash (7 p.m.)
