The playoff schedule will be released the first week of November. Quarterfinals will take place on November 7-9 and semi-finals on November 15-16. Matches will be available to watch across the following broadcast and streaming networks, Prime Video, CBS, ABC and NWSL+.

• The top eight teams in the NWSL will qualify for the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
• The playoffs are a single-elimination tournament.
• The teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on their regular season standings.
• The higher-seeded team will host the match in both the quarterfinal and semi-final rounds, unless venue availability prevents it.

• Quarterfinals:
• Seed 1 vs. Seed 8
• Seed 2 vs. Seed 7
• Seed 3 vs. Seed 6
• Seed 4 vs. Seed 5
• Semifinals:
• The winner of the 1 vs. 8 game plays the winner of the 4 vs. 5 game.
• The winner of the 2 vs. 7 game plays the winner of the 3 vs. 6 game.
• The winners of the two semifinal games will compete in the NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, on 11/22 at Paypal Park to determine the league winner.

If two or more teams finish the regular season with the same number of points, the tie is broken using the following criteria in order:

1. Goal differential
2. Most total wins
3. Most goals scored
4. Head-to-head results (total points accumulated)
5. Head-to-head most goals scored
6. Least Disciplinary Points Accumulated
7. A coin flip for two teams, or a drawing of lots for three or more teams

• If a playoff game is tied after 90 minutes of regulation, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety.
• Teams are allowed the use of an additional substitute in extra time and an additional substitution window (whether or not the team has already used the full number of permitted substitutes/windows).
• If the score is still tied after extra time, a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the winner.