\ud83d\udd19 The history<\/h3>\n
The NWSL Challenge Cup made history when it launched in 2020.<\/strong> After sporting events around the world were postponed because of COVID-19, the NWSL created the Challenge Cup as an innovative way to return to action. The tourney kicked off that June, which made the NWSL the first U.S. sports league to resume play during the pandemic.<\/p>\n As for the tourney format, <\/strong>teams were randomly drawn against each other for the 2020 edition before heading into knockout action, but the structure began to resemble traditional soccer formatting in the following years with squads sorted into groups based on their geography.<\/p>\n SOURCE: NWSL<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Starting this year,<\/strong> the NWSL Challenge Cup will run concurrently with the regular season: <\/strong>a change that aligns with most other major soccer leagues across the world \u2014 the regular season is still the main focus, but the cup action earns its own calendar slots and gives each team an extra trophy to chase each year.<\/p>\n In terms of structure, <\/strong>teams are placed into three groups of four and will play each group stage opponent twice \u2014 once at home and once away. The top team from each group will advance to the September semis, where they\u2019ll be joined by the best overall second-place team.<\/p>\n And when it comes to prize money, <\/strong>the Challenge Cup is making history again this year. New sponsor UKG doubled the prize pool<\/a> to $1M for 2023 \u2014 a number that matches the earnings<\/a> from the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020 and makes this the first U.S. women\u2019s soccer tourney to reach parity. About damn time.<\/p>\n SOURCE: KEN MURRAY\/ICON SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n It\u2019s no coincidence that the Challenge Cup<\/strong> is bigger and better this year.<\/strong> The alignment with traditional soccer standards demonstrates that the NWSL is ready to be perceived as a major power in the sport, and it\u2019s a sign that the league wants to invest in itself.<\/p>\n Prospective stakeholders are taking notice.<\/strong> Sponsors and new ownership groups are responding to the NWSL\u2019s upgrades and rapid growth<\/a> by spending big<\/em>. In addition to UKG\u2019s major investment in the Challenge Cup, CarMax doubled the prize money<\/a> for the best regular season team, and Ally is using its power<\/a> to help the NWSL score more TV time.<\/p>\n The best news of all?<\/strong> This injection of cash will change the game for NWSL players. The aforementioned Carson Pickett described the $10K bonus she earned as a 2022 Challenge Cup champ as the type of money that \u201cchanges people\u2019s lives<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n SOURCE: MEG OLIPHANT\/GETTY IMAGES FOR ANGEL CITY FC<\/p>\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The action gets underway tonight<\/strong> at 7 p.m. ET when the Orlando Pride hosts the Courage, but if one match isn\u2019t enough, don\u2019t worry \u2014 the NWSL has another four on the schedule.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re looking for a primer on how each team might fare,<\/strong> check out our handy-dandy team-by-team preseason preview<\/a>. Let the games begin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u2699\ufe0f How it works<\/h3>\n
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\u26bd Zooming out<\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcfa How to watch<\/h3>\n
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