NEW YORK (March 20, 2024) – The National Women’s Soccer League and LIGA MX Femenil today announced a historic new partnership connecting two of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues. As part of the groundbreaking collaboration, the two leagues will compete in the first-ever NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup. The tournament will feature all 14 NWSL clubs and the six teams with the most points achieved in LIGA MX Femenil Clausura and Apertura during 2023, including Tigres UANL, Club América, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca and Tijuana.
Kicking off on July 19, the 33-match tournament will consist of 30 group stage contests, followed by a four-team semifinal round slated for the week of August 4. The championship match will take place the weekend of October 25-27.
NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer 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.
NJ/NY Gotham FC will feature in Group D alongside Chivas de Guadalajara of LIGA MX Femenil, and the club will match up against two NWSL opponents – the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars. For Gotham FC, the group stage begins on the road against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, July 20, before the NJ/NY club faces the Washington Spirit on Sunday, July 28. Gotham FC returns home on Aug. 2 for a Friday night thriller against Chivas de Guadalajara. Additional match and ticket information will be announced in the near future.
“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 alliance we are announcing today is a great achievement for women's football in our region and around the world - 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,” said LIGA MX Femenil Director Mariana Gutierrez. “LIGA MX Femenil is proud and privileged to work together with the NWSL. Let us celebrate that this is a historic moment for women and sport.”
The complete group stage schedule can be seen below. Broadcast details, playoff schedule details and competition rules will be announced in the coming weeks.
Group Format
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
NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup Group Stage Schedule for Gotham FC
| DATE |
MATCH |
STADIUM |
TIME (ET) |
| Saturday, July 20 |
Chicago Red Stars vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC |
SeatGeek Stadium |
6 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 28 |
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit |
TBD |
5 p.m. |
| Friday, August 2 |
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chivas de Guadalajara |
Red Bull Arena |
8 p.m. |
|
|
