Women's Health November 6, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Secret Fan Rituals Lighting Up the NWSL Postseason—You Won’t Believe What Happens Next!

So, the 2026 NWSL playoffs are about to kick off—and honestly, isn’t there something absolutely electrifying about single-elimination games? Eight teams, one champion, and the thrill of knowing each match could be the last… It’s the kind of edge-of-your-seat action that gets the heart racing. But here’s a cheeky question for you: How much do you really know about the fan cultures cheering these warriors on? Believe me, those chants and quirky rituals aren’t just background noise—they’re the soul of the game, turning stadiums into cauldrons of passion. Whether you’re a die-hard rooting for “your” team or just eyeing a new favorite to rally behind during the playoffs, diving into these fan traditions adds a whole new layer of excitement. Ready to get in on the fun—and maybe even learn a chant or two? Let’s jump in and uncover the unique, hilarious, and downright spirited traditions that make every NWSL playoff match unforgettable. LEARN MORE

The 2026 NWSL playoffs kick off on Friday, with single-elimination play that’s guaranteed to be a nail-biter. Eight teams made the playoffs, but only one will hoist the championship trophy on November 21.

Of course, part of the fun of watching any playoff game is knowing insider-y details about each team. That includes fan traditions that make a team unique—and that you can join in on, too.

Every team has its own special chants and traditions that are uniquely theirs, and knowing what they are before kickoff immediately creates a level of familiarity you wouldn’t have otherwise. You may already have “your” NWSL team that you root for, and you’re probably familiar with their special traditions. But there are also likely teams you’ll be watching during playoffs that you don’t know the ins and outs of.

Whether you’re looking for another club to root for when yours isn’t playing or you just want to brush up on the details, these are the unique and sometimes hilarious fan traditions to know this NWSL postseason.

San Diego Wave

The San Diego Wave fans aren’t messing around. They’ve formed their own supporters’ group called the San Diego Sirens, and they’re happy to include everyone in the club.

The Sirens have an online breakdown of songs and chants to know ahead of games. They even included helpful clips, so you can learn the melodies ahead of games. (There’s a lot of water-themed content in there, making these very on-brand.)

Utah Royals

The Utah Royals’ fandom is called the Throne, and they march into the stadium as a united front before kickoff. (The Throne also says that everyone is welcome to join in.) The Royals also list their go-to chants online, allowing fans new and old to brush up before games.

Gotham FC

Cloud 9 is Gotham’s supporters club, and they’ve borrowed a few traditions from the UK’s Manchester United. That includes incorporating John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and making it “Gotham Roads,” as a tribute to the team.

You can download the club’s songs on your phone and take them to the game or to your watch party to follow along.

Seattle Reign FC

The Royal Guard is Seattle Reign’s fan club, and they’ve got plenty of traditions to share. The group does a walk toward Lumen Field before kickoff and incorporates a match-day band that might be the largest in NWSL. Check out their chants—with emojis to show when to clap—to get in the spirit.

Kansas City Current

The Kansas City Current has three different groups of supporters to make game day a high-energy event. That includes the KC Blue Crew, Surface Tension Drumming Club, and Undertow KC.

The organizations work together and have an online list of chants, the music they’re set to, sheet music for drummers, and even videos to help fans get up to speed.

Angel City FC

Not to be outdone, Angel City has six recognized supporter groups to cheer on its team—the most in the NWSL. Those groups regularly pack “La Fortaleza,” the supporters section. The groups share chants, and you can brush up on them online.

Rebellion 99 is Angel City’s largest supporter group. Along with the other groups, they do chants and set off flares to keep the energy going. Rebellion 99 even has a scholarship program for local youth, stressing the importance of community-buildin

Washington Spirit

Washington Spirit offers four different fan clubs to choose from. One of the team’s major groups, called the Spirit Squadron, marches to the stadium together before games. They also hilariously have a chant that they stole from the English Premier League called “Let’s pretend we scored a goal” when things aren’t going so well.

There’s also a stadium tradition: At the 51st minute, a “Free D.C.” chant starts as a nod to the push for Washington, D.C., to become the 51st state.

Portland Thorns

The Portland Thorns’ support groups are the Rose City Riveters and Timbers Army. They have a slew of chants you can download to follow along. In the mix: A chant called “Rose City ‘Til I Die,” which they do when the other team scores.

Korin Miller is a seasoned freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Everyday Health, Food & Wine, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University and lives by the beach.