The league announced Wednesday the tournament will take place in home markets this year, with teams traveling for home and away matches. Players will report to team preseason training on Feb. 1.
A full 24-game regular season will follow the Challenge Cup, beginning on May 15. The NWSL season will not include a break for the 2021 Olympic Games, which could feature top Pride players such as Marta, Alex Morgan, Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger.
The offseason will begin with the expansion draft on Dec. 16, which will allow Angel City FC and the newly announced Sacramento expansion team to make selections from throughout the league.