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.
