NWSL and LIGA MX Femenil Announce NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup as Part of Strategic Partnership

The National Women’s Soccer League and LIGA MX Femenil announces a historic new partnership connecting two of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues.

As part of the 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.

“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,” says 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,” says 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