You're looking for the San Diego Wave schedule because you want to see Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma, and the rest of the squad tear it up at Snapdragon Stadium. Or maybe you're trying to figure out if an away game in New Jersey is worth the flight. Look, the NWSL is growing fast, and keeping track of when the Wave actually plays is sometimes harder than it should be. Between the regular season, the NWSL Cup (formerly the Challenge Cup), and international breaks, the calendar gets messy.
Snapdragon Stadium is a vibe. If you haven't been, the "Wave Pavilion" section is basically a party. But you can't just show up on a Saturday and hope for the best.
The league usually drops the full San Diego Wave schedule in late January or early February. Since we're in 2026, the schedule reflects a league that has expanded significantly. We aren't just looking at a 12-team league anymore; the NWSL has matured into a powerhouse with a grueling march from March through November.
The Structure of the 2026 Season
The NWSL doesn't follow the European "fall-to-spring" calendar. We play through the summer. It’s hot. It’s intense. For the San Diego Wave, this means managing a roster that is often heavy with USWNT stars who might disappear for weeks during FIFA international windows.
Honestly, the schedule is built around three distinct phases. You have the preseason friendlies, which usually happen in late February. Then the regular season kicks off in mid-March. Finally, if the Wave stays in the top tier of the table, you’re looking at playoffs in November.
Don't forget the mid-week games. These are the "trap" games. You'll see a Wednesday night match against a team like Bay FC or Angel City, and if the squad rotation isn't handled perfectly by the coaching staff, those are the points that slip away. Fans often overlook these when planning their month, but these Wednesday night kickoffs at Snapdragon often have some of the best ticket deals.
Rivalry Dates You Can't Miss
When the San Diego Wave schedule is released, the first thing everyone does is circle the Los Angeles games. The "Clash of Cali" against Angel City FC is the loudest game of the year. It doesn't matter who is top of the league; these games are physical.
Last season, the atmosphere at BMO Stadium in LA was electric, but nothing beats a sell-out crowd in Mission Valley. You’ll want to check if the Wave is playing at home for the Pride match or the home opener. Those dates sell out weeks in advance.
📖 Related: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
The rivalry with the Portland Thorns is also becoming a massive deal. There is a lot of history there with coaching staff and player movement. When the Thorns come to San Diego, expect a tactical chess match. It's less "brute force" than the LA rivalry and more "high-level football."
How to Actually Read the Schedule
It sounds simple, right? Date, time, opponent. But NWSL scheduling is notorious for "TBA" times early in the season because of broadcast rights.
Currently, the NWSL has a massive multi-partner TV deal involving Amazon Prime, Scripps Sports (ION), CBS, and ESPN. This means one week the Wave might be on at 7:00 PM PST on a Friday (Amazon), and the next week they might have a 12:30 PM PST kickoff on a Sunday (CBS).
- Friday Nights: Usually the Amazon Prime "Game of the Week." High production value.
- Saturday Nights: Often found on ION or local broadcasts.
- Sunday Afternoons: The big network slots.
If you see a 10:00 AM kickoff on the schedule, check the location. That usually means they’re playing on the East Coast against the Washington Spirit or NJ/NY Gotham FC. For fans in San Diego, these are "coffee and soccer" mornings.
Snapdragon Stadium Logistics
The schedule tells you when the game starts, but it doesn't tell you when to leave your house. If you’re taking the Trolley—which you should, seriously, the Green Line drops you right at the gate—give yourself an extra 45 minutes.
Parking at Snapdragon is expensive. It's basically a tax on not wanting to ride the train. If you do drive, the "Wave Front" tailgating scene in the yellow lot is where the supporters' groups like the Sirens hang out. They usually start three hours before kickoff.
What Happens During International Breaks?
This is the part of the San Diego Wave schedule that confuses casual fans. Suddenly, there are no games for two weeks in June or July.
👉 See also: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
This is the FIFA window. Players like Naomi Girma or younger rising stars are called up to their respective national teams. The NWSL generally pauses its regular season during these windows to ensure the "product on the field" doesn't suffer too much from missing star power. However, they sometimes fill these gaps with tournament games or international friendlies.
In 2026, with the global soccer calendar being as packed as it is, these breaks are vital for player recovery. If you see a gap in the schedule, don't panic. The team is just resting or playing for country.
Ticket Strategy and Availability
Single-game tickets usually go on sale a few weeks after the schedule is finalized. Season ticket holders get the first bite. If you're looking for cheap seats, the "Supporters Section" behind the south goal is the way to go, but be prepared to stand and chant for 90 minutes.
If you want a more "lifestyle" experience, the premium seats on the west side of the stadium offer shade. This is a big deal for those 1:00 PM kickoffs in August. The San Diego sun is no joke, and the east side of the stadium (the "sunny side") gets baked. Seriously, bring sunscreen if your tickets are in sections 101-110.
Watching From Home
If the San Diego Wave schedule shows an away game in Orlando or Louisville, you're probably watching on TV.
- NWSL+: The league’s own streaming service. It’s mostly free for games not picked up by big networks.
- Paramount+: Usually carries the CBS games.
- Local Bars: Places like Fairplay in North Park or various spots in Ocean Beach are designated "Wave Pub Partners." They’ll have the sound on, which is way better than watching alone on your laptop.
Why 2026 is Different
The 2026 season is unique because of the shadow of the Men's World Cup happening in North America. While the NWSL schedule tries to stay out of the way of the massive FIFA event, the "soccer fever" in the US is at an all-time high.
Expect higher attendances across the board. The San Diego Wave has already broken attendance records multiple times since their inception in 2022. They consistently lead the league in average draw, often pulling in over 20,000 fans per match. This isn't just a "women's sports" story; it's a "San Diego sports" story. With the Chargers gone and the Padres being the only other major show in town for a long time, the Wave filled a massive void in the city's identity.
✨ Don't miss: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
Tactical Things to Watch For
When you look at a stretch of three games in eight days on the schedule, pay attention to the roster.
The Wave has historically relied on a very strong defensive spine. However, a dense schedule forces them to use their bench. In 2026, the depth of the squad is better than it's ever been. Look for younger draft picks to get starts during the mid-week games. If the schedule shows a long road trip—say, three games on the East Coast—that's usually when the team stays out East to avoid the cross-country flight fatigue.
Actionable Steps for Wave Fans
To make the most of the season, don't just bookmark a website. The NWSL is dynamic and changes happen.
- Sync to Calendar: Use the official San Diego Wave website to "Sync to Calendar." This is the only way to ensure that if a game gets moved from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for TV reasons, your phone actually tells you.
- The 48-Hour Rule: Check the weather and the "know before you go" emails 48 hours before any home game. Snapdragon Stadium has specific bag policies (clear bags only) that they enforce strictly.
- Download the App: The Snapdragon Stadium app and the NWSL app are separate. You need the stadium one for your tickets and the NWSL one for real-time stats and out-of-market scores.
- Follow the Beat Reporters: If you want to know why a player isn't on the pitch despite the schedule saying they should be, follow local sports journalists on social media. They usually post the "Availability Report" about an hour before kickoff. This will tell you if someone is out with a "lower leg" injury (the NWSL is famously vague about injuries).
The San Diego Wave schedule is more than just a list of dates. It's the heartbeat of the summer in San Diego. Whether you're a die-hard Siren or a casual fan who just wants to see some world-class soccer, getting your calendar sorted early is the difference between catching a last-minute winner and realizing you're stuck in traffic on the I-8 while the fireworks go off.
Keep an eye on the official league announcements in February. Once those dates are set, book your travel for the away games early. The NWSL is no longer a "niche" league; flights and hotels in cities like Portland or Kansas City fill up fast when the Wave comes to town.
Stay on top of the mid-season additions, too. Sometimes the schedule gets a "friendly" added against a massive European club like Chelsea or Lyon. These aren't part of the regular season but are usually included for season ticket holders. They are the best chance to see how San Diego stacks up against the best in the world.
Check the official Wave FC site regularly for the most up-to-date kickoff times as broadcast windows finalize throughout the spring.