Finding out where to watch North Carolina Courage vs Bay FC used to be a lot simpler back when everything just lived on one cable channel. Now? It feels like you need a Ph.D. in streaming services just to catch a kickoff. If you're looking for the 2026 matches, the landscape has shifted again with new partners like Victory+ entering the fray alongside the usual suspects like ION and Prime Video.
The NWSL schedule is out, and honestly, the broadcast map for these two teams is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. You've got games split across seven different platforms depending on whether they're playing in Cary or San Jose.
The 2026 Broadcast Breakdown: Where to Watch North Carolina Courage vs Bay FC
For the first big meeting of the year on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the North Carolina Courage will host Bay FC at First Horizon Stadium. If you’re trying to find this one on your TV guide, you might be searching for a while. This specific match is slated for NWSL+, the league’s own direct-to-consumer streaming service. It’s free to create an account, which is a win for the wallet, but you’ll need the app on your Roku, Apple TV, or phone.
Things get a little more "premium" for the rematch. When the Courage head out west to PayPal Park on Saturday, July 18, 2026, the game moves to a much bigger stage. That one is scheduled for CBS at 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM local time in California). This means you can catch it on your local CBS affiliate or stream it via Paramount+.
It’s worth noting that the NWSL is leaning hard into these "national windows." While the March game is tucked away on the league's app, that July 18th clash is a marquee event. If you miss the live window on CBS, you’re likely looking at a replay on NWSL+ after a 48-hour blackout period.
👉 See also: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
Navigating the New Streaming Jungle
So, why is it so confusing? Basically, the league signed a massive four-year deal that split the rights between CBS Sports, ESPN, ION, and Prime Video. But wait, there's more. In 2026, Victory+ joined the party as the "free-to-consumer" home for specific Sunday night matches and a handful of other fixtures.
While the North Carolina Courage vs Bay FC matchups for 2026 are primarily on NWSL+ and CBS, you have to keep an eye on the "flex" possibilities. If a game gets moved for weather or TV scheduling changes, it could potentially land on ION for a Saturday doubleheader or Prime Video if it’s a Friday night feature.
Honestly, the best move is to download the NWSL app. It’s the only place that updates the "watch" button in real-time. If you’re an international fan, it’s actually easier—almost everything streams on NWSL+ for viewers outside the United States.
A Rivalry Building in the Stats
When you sit down to watch these two, you aren't just seeing 22 players on a pitch; you're seeing a weirdly lopsided historical trend. Even though the Courage are the established "powerhouse," Bay FC has been a bit of a "bogey team" for them.
✨ Don't miss: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
Coming into 2026, the head-to-head record is surprisingly tight. In their first few meetings, Bay FC actually held the upper hand with two wins and a draw. They’ve managed to frustrate North Carolina’s high-press system with a very disciplined back line, often anchored by veterans like Abby Dahlkemper.
The Courage finally broke that "Bay curse" late in 2025 with a commanding 4–1 win at PayPal Park. Manaka Matsukubo has been the X-factor here—she’s scored three goals against Bay FC in her career already. If she’s in the starting XI for the March 28th game, you can bet the Bay FC defenders are going to be having a long night.
Tactical Tidbits to Watch For
The Courage play a very specific style. It’s "box midfield" madness. They want to dominate the middle of the field and suffocate you with possession. When you watch them on NWSL+ this March, look at how Denise O'Sullivan directs traffic. Everything goes through her.
Bay FC, on the other hand, has been much more comfortable playing on the counter. They’ve historically struggled to put up high goal numbers—many of their wins against NC have been 1–0 grinds—but they are efficient. Their "expected goals" (xG) were actually quite high last season, but they lacked that finishing touch. With their 2026 roster additions, they're hoping to turn those "almost" chances into actual scores.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Key Viewing Details for 2026
If you're planning your watch parties, keep these dates and channels pinned:
- March 28, 2026: NC Courage vs. Bay FC at First Horizon Stadium. Catch it on NWSL+ at 7:00 PM ET.
- July 18, 2026: Bay FC vs. NC Courage at PayPal Park. This is the big one on CBS / Paramount+ at 4:00 PM ET.
- Alternative Options: If you’re a local fan in North Carolina or the Bay Area, check for regional sports network (RSN) announcements. Sometimes local stations pick up the NWSL+ games for a terrestrial broadcast.
Keep in mind that the league takes a massive break in June. There are no matches from June 1st to June 28th because of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup taking place across North America. The July 18th match is one of the first big "return to play" games after that hiatus, so expect the energy (and the viewership) to be through the roof.
What to Do Next
The most proactive thing you can do right now is set up your accounts. Don't be the person scrambling to reset a password five minutes after kickoff.
First, head to the NWSL website and create your free NWSL+ account. It doesn't cost anything and it's the only way to see the March matchup. Second, if you don't have an antenna, make sure your Paramount+ subscription is active for the July game. Since that one is on the main CBS network, a basic Paramount+ plan will usually get you the live stream of your local station.
Lastly, check the weather if you're attending in person—PayPal Park can get chilly when the wind coming off the bay hits, and Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary is known for sudden summer thunderstorms that can delay those NWSL+ broadcasts.