Gotham FC Battles Washington Spirit for NWSL Crown: Your Complete Viewing Guide to the 2025 Championship Showdown

An exciting East Coast clash awaits as NJ/NY Gotham FC takes on the Washington Spirit in the 2025 NWSL Championship final.

This season's championship match will be held in San Jose at PayPal Park, home venue of NWSL club Bay FC. (Each year, the championship game takes place at a neutral location.)

The Spirit enter the final as the higher-seeded team, having concluded the regular season in second place. This marks the Spirit's second straight NWSL Championship final appearance, after falling 1–0 to the Orlando Pride in Kansas City the previous year.

Gotham entered the NWSL playoffs as the lowest-seeded team, but don't underestimate them! Following an eighth-place regular season finish, Gotham eliminated top-seeded Kansas City Current and reigning champions Orlando Pride in the opening two playoff rounds.

Both the Spirit and Gotham have previously captured the NWSL Championship title. The Spirit claimed victory in 2021 while Gotham triumphed in '23. This represents the Spirit's fourth championship final appearance, whereas it marks only the second for Gotham.

Here's your guide to viewing the 2025 NWSL Championship final.

What time does the NWSL Championship final begin?

Saturday's encounter between Gotham and the Spirit will mark the 44th clash between these two clubs, representing the highest number of meetings between any pair of NWSL teams.

The championship match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), with the possibility of extra time and penalty kicks if the game remains tied after regulation.

How to watch NWSL Championship final in North America