At CBS Sports HQ, the NWSL held the draw for the Preliminary Round of its Challenge Cup set to begin on Saturday, June 27th at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. Each team will play four preliminary matches from June 27th thru July 13th. The top eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals which are single elimination.
Starting on the 27th will be the Chicago Red Stars against the Orlando Pride while two-time defending champion North Carolina Courage will face off against the Portland Thorns.
Below is the full fixture list for the preliminary round. Match times to be announced with the opening match to air on CBS as well as the final while remaining matches will stream on CBS All-Access in the USA and Canada and Twitch in the rest of the world.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE:
| June 27, 2020 | July 4, 2020 | July 9, 2020 |
| Chicago Red Stars v. Orlando Pride | Chicago Red Stars v. Utah Royals FC | Orlando Pride v. Sky Blue FC |
| NC Courage v. Portland Thorns FC | Washington Spirit v. OL Reign | Chicago Red Stars v. Houston Dash |
| June 30, 2020 | July 5, 2020 | July 12, 2020 |
| Washington Spirit v. Utah Royals FC | NC Courage v. Orlando Pride | Utah Royals FC v. NC Courage |
| OL Reign v. Sky Blue FC | Houston Dash v. Sky Blue FC | Portland Thorns FC v. OL Reign |
| July 1, 2020 | July 8, 2020 | July 13, 2020 |
| Portland Thorns FC v. Orlando Pride | Washington Spirit v. Portland Thorns FC | Chicago Red Stars v. Sky Blue FC |
| NC Courage v. Houston Dash | Utah Royals FC v. OL Reign | Washington Spirit v. Houston Dash |
