The shirt says it all.

NWSL teams drop 2026 schedules

The 2026 NWSL schedule has arrived, as the now-16-team league gears up for 248 regular-season matches, seven playoff games, and a standalone Challenge Cup.

• The season kicks off on March 13th, with a midseason break slated for June 1st through 28th, another Rivalry Week set for July, and a simultaneous kick-off Decision Day on November 1st.

• Each team will play 30 regular-season matches, with games broadcast across ESPN, Prime, ION, CBS, NWSL+, and new free streamer Victory+. (See full schedule)

Big picture: In the only major departure from the previously released season framework, the league shifted the 2026 Challenge Cup to a neutral site in June.

• Reigning NWSL champions Gotham will face Shield-winners Kansas City on June 26th at MLS side Columbus Crew’s Ohio stadium, giving local fans “the opportunity to experience elite women’s soccer in person at this celebratory showcase event,” per Thursday’s press release.

• The three-round postseason starts November 6th, culminating in November 21st’s NWSL Championship.

Dive deeper: Get all the details on the 2026 NWSL season on nwslsoccer.com.

Top guards square off as TCU takes on Ohio State

Monday’s NCAA action puts top guards to the test, as No. 10 TCU takes on No. 14 Ohio State in Newark, New Jersey’s Coretta Scott King Classic — part of a stacked MLK Day slate.

• Buckeyes sophomore Jaloni Cambridge has been on a tear, averaging 21.8 points per game and tallying 102 points, 20 rebounds, and 20 assists over 16-2 Ohio State’s last three games.

• TCU has seen similar stylings from Notre Dame transfer Olivia Miles, with the senior averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game alongside 7.3 assists for the 17-1 Horned Frogs.

Growing pains: Both teams met expectations head-on this year, after 2025 NCAA tournament exits spurred significant offseason roster changes.

• Star Ohio State forward Cotie McMahon transferred to Ole Miss, while TCU starters Hailey Van Lith and center Sedona Prince both graduated.

• “Ultimately, [forward] Marta [Suarez] and Miles are two of the best players in college basketball,” TCU head coach Mark Campbell said after Sunday’s win over Arizona State. “But for our team to reach our full potential, we need these other players to show great growth. And I think we have.” (Read more)

Tune in: TCU visits Ohio State on Monday at 12 PM ET, live on FOX.

No. 23 Notre Dame looks to de-throne No. 1 UConn

No. 1 UConn has aced every test so far this season, as No. 23 Notre Dame looks to disrupt the 18-0 Huskies’ NCAA title defense on Monday.

• Fresh off Thursday’s 79-66 ranked loss to No. 9 Louisville, the Irish will lean on star guard Hannah Hidalgo, with the junior averaging 25 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists this year.

• “It’s a long season, and I can’t dwell on the loss for too long because my team needs me,” Hidalgo said. (See full highlights)

Tough road: On the flip side, UConn is racking up blowout wins, with the team’s last single-digit victory dating back to November’s 72-69 win over No. 8 Michigan.

• The Huskies are riding a 34-game winning streak, fueled by consistent output from sophomore Sarah Strong and senior Azzi Fudd.

• “I’ve been trying to tell the girls that UConn is a different beast,” Hidalgo said. “If we think certain teams that we have lost to were tough, then we’re going to have a rude awakening for UConn.”

Tune in: UConn hosts Notre Dame on Monday at 5 PM ET, live on FOX.

2026 Australian Open kicks off in Melbourne

The first Grand Slam of 2026 is almost here, as the Australian Open’s main draw hits the court Saturday evening with the promise of early-round fireworks.

• World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters as tournament favorite, though the rest of the WTA’s Top 10 promises to give her a run for her money — as No. 2 Iga Świątek chases the only major title still eluding her.

Taking stock: No. 9 Madison Keys will attempt to defend her 2025 crown, as fellow US products No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 6 Jessica Pegula also locked down top seeds.

• Another US superstar will return this weekend, with 45-year-old Venus Williams securing wild-card entry to her first Australian Open in five years.

• “Even though I’ve been on tour for a long time, this is also still my first experience as [reigning champion],” Keys said. “I’m really just trying to soak in all of the really cool fun parts.”

Tune in: The Australian Open begins Saturday at 7 PM ET, live on ESPN.

Euros stars dominate EA FC 26 Team of the Year

Stars of the 2025 Euro stole the EA FC 26 spotlight, as the video game giant’s fan-voted 2026 Team of the Year recognized the sport’s top achievers this week.

• Champions England fielded four honorees — Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, and TOTY captain Lucy Bronze.

• “2025 was an amazing year — winning the Euros again and picking up my first BWSL with Chelsea — so much of that success is thanks to our fans, and it’s great to see them recognize my efforts with this award,” Bronze said in a statement.

Continental sweep: The rest of the 11-player group also favored European titans, including Euros runner-up and Nations League winner Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Alexia Putellas, and Clàudia Pina.

• EA FC also tapped European club standouts Christiane Endler (OL Lyonnes), Selma Bacha (OL Lyonnes), and Ewa Pajor (FC Barcelona). (See full list)

Nike drops Team USA collection for Winter Olympics

Nike is sending Team USA to Milan in style, with the retailer’s ACG brand releasing a special 2026 Winter Olympics collection this week.

• This year’s designs range from a fleece sherpa emblazoned with a bald eagle soaring over mountains to long-sleeved, sweat-wicking shirts and Polartec® jackets in a red, white, and navy blue color scheme. (See full line)

• Nike is just one major brand outfitting Team USA this year, after J.Crew dropped their own Winter Olympic capsule earlier this month.

Get yours: ACG’s Winter Olympics line hits shelves on January 23rd, available for purchase via nike.com.

Number of the day 

2022

No. 3 Texas dropped two consecutive games for the first time since 2022, after losing to fellow SEC standouts No. 6 LSU and No. 2 South Carolina this week.