Table of Contents
San Diego Wave FC officially knows the road ahead.
The Club announced its full 30-game schedule for the 2026 NWSL regular season on Thursday, marking the league’s first season with an expanded format following the additions of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit FC. For the Wave, the calendar sets the stage for a season full of rivalry games, national broadcasts, and a heavily front-loaded home slate at Snapdragon Stadium.
San Diego opens its fifth NWSL season at home on Saturday, March 14, hosting the Houston Dash at 5:45 p.m. PT in the Club’s 2026 Home Opener. It’s the first look at a reshaped Wave side that features new attacking firepower and a roster eager to reestablish itself among the league’s contenders.
A Home-Heavy Start in San Diego
The Wave will play 15 home matches in 2026, with the highest concentration coming early in the season. San Diego hosts three matches in March, followed by another three in July and August, giving fans plenty of chances to catch the team at Snapdragon Stadium before the stretch run.
March, in particular, offers an immediate test. After opening against Houston, the Wave welcome the Portland Thorns on March 25 for a midweek showdown before closing the month at home against the Chicago Stars. The Thorns fixture marks the Club’s lone Wednesday home match of the season and one of several nationally televised games.
July also looms large. The Wave host defending NWSL champions Gotham FC on July 4, followed by a rivalry clash with Angel City FC on July 11. Those two matches headline a summer stretch that could play a defining role in the playoff race.
Rivalries, Road Trips, and Marquee Matchups
San Diego’s schedule balances long home stretches with two notable road-heavy periods. In April, the Wave travel east to face expansion side Boston Legacy, then head to Colorado for a matchup with Denver Summit FC, before wrapping the trip in Portland. The second extended road run arrives late in the season, with trips to Racing Louisville, Orlando Pride, and North Carolina Courage between late September and mid-October.
Rivalry games are spread throughout the calendar. In addition to the two Angel City fixtures, the Wave face Bay FC twice, including a home match on May 3 and a Decision Day road finale on November 1. Matchups against Seattle Reign come in late July at Snapdragon Stadium and again in September at Lumen Field.
Games to Circle on the 2026 Calendar
- March 14 vs. Houston Dash (Home Opener) The first look at the 2026 Wave at Snapdragon Stadium, with new signings debuting in front of the home crowd.
- March 25 vs. Portland Thorns (Midweek Showdown) A rare Wednesday night match against one of the league’s most storied clubs, airing nationally on CBS Sports Network.
- July 4 vs. Gotham FC The defending NWSL champions come to San Diego in what could be one of the most electric crowds of the season.
- July 11 vs. Angel City FC The first regular-season rivalry match at Snapdragon Stadium, with bragging rights firmly on the line.
- July 26 vs. Seattle Reign A late-summer matchup between two Western Conference contenders with playoff implications.
- November 1 at Bay FC (Decision Day) The regular-season finale on the road, where postseason positioning could come down to the final whistle.
National Spotlight Returns to Snapdragon Stadium
San Diego will once again be a fixture on national television. Wave matches are spread across ION, CBS Sports Network, Prime Video, Victory+, ESPN2, and NWSL+, reflecting the league’s expanded broadcast footprint. Notably, 14 of the Club’s 15 home matches fall on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, reinforcing Snapdragon Stadium as a prime destination for weekend soccer in San Diego.
After a full league pause in June, the back half of the schedule ramps up quickly, with crucial home matches in August followed by a demanding September that leads straight into the playoff push.
With a refreshed roster, marquee signings, and one of the most fan-friendly home schedules in club history, the Wave’s 2026 calendar offers no shortage of storylines. From opening night under the lights to rivalry games and a dramatic season finale, San Diego’s path is set.
Now, it’s about turning dates into moments.
