NWSL and Liga MX Femenil Announce NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup In First-Ever Collaboration

HERRIMAN, UTAH (March 20, 2024) – Utah Royals FC, in conjunction with the National Women’s Soccer League and LIGA MX Femenil, announced today its participation this summer in 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 America, Chivas de Guadalajara, Rayadas de Monterrey, Pachuca and Tijuana.

Kicking off the weekend of July 19-21, 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.

Utah Royals FC is joined in Group A by fellow NWSL opponents Portland Thorns FC and Seattle Reign FC, as well as LIGA MX Femenil representative Club Tijuana.

“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. “International club competition is critically important for our league as we continue to grow our business, and it’s important for our players as they continue to set the standard for excellence in our game. 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. “There is a lot of work to be done to make this a tournament that will transcend and be the start of a great alliance with a vision for the present and the future, that generates value, attracts talent and resizes the market. Let us celebrate that this is a historic moment for women and sport. LIGA MX Femenil is proud and privileged to work together with the NWSL.”

Group Format

Group A

Portland Thorns FC

Seattle Reign FC

Utah Royals FC

Club 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

DATE

MATCH

STADIUM

TIME (ET)

Friday, July 19

Seattle Reign FC vs. Utah Royals FC

Lumen Field

9 p.m.

Friday, July 19

Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca

Estadio Universitario

10 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

Chicago Red Stars vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC

SeatGeek Stadium

6 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride

WakeMed Soccer Park

7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash

CPKC Stadium

8 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

Racing Louisville FC vs. Rayadas de Monterrey

Lynn Family Stadium

8 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

San Diego Wave FC vs. Bay FC

Torero Stadium

10 p.m.

Saturday, July 20

Angel City FC vs. Club América

Titan Stadium

10 p.m.

Sunday, July 21

Washington Spirit vs. Chivas de Guadalajara

TBD

5 p.m.

Sunday, July 21

Portland Thorns FC vs. Tijuana

Providence Park

7 p.m.

Friday, July 26

Chicago Red Stars vs. Chivas de Guadalajara

SeatGeek Stadium

8 p.m.

Friday, July 26

Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage

Lynn Family Stadium

8 p.m.

Friday, July 26

San Diego Wave FC vs. Club América

Snapdragon Stadium

10 p.m.

Friday, July 26

Bay FC vs. Angel City FC

PayPal Park

10:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 27

Kansas City Current vs. Pachuca

CPKC Stadium

8 p.m.

Saturday, July 27

Utah Royals FC vs. Portland Thorns FC

America First Field

10 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit

TBD

5 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

Seattle Reign FC vs. Tijuana

Lumen Field

6 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

Orlando Pride vs. Rayadas de Monterrey

Inter&Co Stadium

7 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

Houston Dash vs. Tigres UANL

Shell Energy Stadium

8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31

North Carolina Courage vs. Rayadas de Monterrey

WakeMed Soccer Park

7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31

Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars

TBD

7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31

Portland Thorns FC vs. Seattle Reign FC

Providence Park

10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31

Utah Royals FC vs. Club Tijuana

America First Field

10 p.m.

Thursday, August 1

Orlando Pride vs. Racing Louisville FC

Inter&Co Stadium

7 p.m.

Thursday, August 1

Houston Dash vs. Pachuca

Shell Energy Stadium

8 p.m.

Thursday, August 1

Kansas City Current vs. Tigres UANL

CPKC Stadium

8 p.m.

Thursday, August 1

Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC

Titan Stadium

10 p.m.

Friday, August 2

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Chivas de Guadalajara

Red Bull Arena

8 p.m.

Friday, August 2

Bay FC vs. Club América

PayPal Park

10:30 p.m.