San Diego Wave open 2026 NWSL season at home
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
San Diego Wave players are ready to celebrate more goals at Snapdragon Stadium this season. Photo: Orlando Ramirez/NWSL via Getty Images
San Diego Wave FC is back in action at Snapdragon Stadium this weekend, playing the Houston Dash to start the 2026 NWSL season.
The big picture: The club enters its fifth season looking to build on last season's short playoff run and secure its first NWSL championship.
Driving the news: The home opener kicks off at 5:45pm Saturday in front of one of the biggest fan bases in the league.
- Tickets start at $17, or watch the game on ION.
- Fans can get a celebratory rally towel and go early to enjoy music and family-friendly activities outside the stadium.
State of play: The Wave and the Dash went 1-1 last season, with San Diego taking the first game 3-2 and Houston earning a decisive 3-0 win in the second.
- Houston finished 10th in the league and didn't make the playoffs, while the Wave finished in sixth place.
Flashback: The Wave went undefeated to win the World Sevens women's tournament and a $2 million prize in December.
Catch up quick: Last season was the start of a new era for the Wave, with a new coach and roster that was missing star players Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw but filled with international talent.
- The team started strong, then struggled with a string of losses in the back half of the season before rallying to clinch a playoff spot. But they lost to Portland in the first round.
- In the offseason, the Wave lost leading goal scorer Delphine Cascarino, who returned to Europe to play closer to her family, and Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, who'd been with the team since day one and now plays for the North Carolina Courage.
- Offensive playmakers Kenza Dali, Dudinha, Adriana Leon and Kimmi Ascanio, plus defensive leaders Trinity Armstrong and Kennedy Wesley will be back on the pitch.
If you go: Check out the new food lineup at Snapdragon.
- Consider taking the MTS Green Line Trolley, which will have additional trips before and after the game and a discounted all-season transit pass.