The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup was the first time the NWSL Challenge Cup was played concurrently with the regular season, bringing it in line with most other league cup competitions worldwide.[4][5] It was also the first edition under a multi-year sponsorship with UKG, which increased the pool of prize money to $1 million toward a goal of achieving equal compensation when compared to men's leagues and open cup competitions in the United States.[6][7]
The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup was a multi-stage tournament. All 12 NWSL teams participated in the Challenge Cup, and the tournament was played concurrently with the regular season.[1] The tournament was split into three groups of four teams each, and each team played a six-game double round-robin with its group. Following the group stage, the top team of each group and the highest-placing group runner-up advanced to the single-elimination semifinals on September 6, with the winners competing in the final on September 9.[1][9] Matches did not have extra-time periods, and semifinal and final matches drawn during regulation proceeded directly to kicks from the penalty mark.[9]
Prize money
Players in the four semifinal teams divide the tournament's $1 million pool of prize money. Sponsor UKG determined a prize pool of that size would draw the tournament's rewards closer to that of the men's MLS is Back tournament, which had a $1.1 million prize pool in 2020. For comparison, the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup prize pool was estimated to be about or less than $500,000.[6]
Tiebreakers
A team's position in the divisional standings was determined by points, with three points awarded for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams in the same group are tied on points at the end of the group stage, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied to determine the final group standings:[9]
Direct head-to-head points record with teams involved in the tie.
Direct head-to-head goal difference in matches between teams involved in the tie.
Direct head-to-head number of goals scored in matches between teams involved in the tie.
Fewest disciplinary points accrued. Points will be awarded as follows, and players can receive only one disciplinary points assessment per match, with the highest taking precedent:
yellow card: 1 point;
indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
direct red card: 4 points;
yellow card and direct red card: 5 points.
If teams still could not be separated using the tiebreaking procedures, the NWSL would decide ranking using the random drawing of lots.
In the case of two or more teams from different divisions being tied on points at the end of the group stage, the competition follows the same procedure except for the use of the head-to-head scenarios by virtue of the fact teams from different divisions would not have played each other during the group stage.[9]
A player is automatically suspended for the next match in the tournament for the following offenses:[9]
Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offenses);
Receiving two yellow cards in two matches, unless the second yellow card was accumulated in the final match of group play;
Direct red card suspensions that can't be served during the tournament will be carried over to the NWSL regular season, but suspensions as a result of indirect red cards will not.
