Rapinoe farewell game moved up two hours for primetime broadcast TV

OL Reign and the National Women’s Soccer League announced on Thursday that kickoff for the club’s final home game of the regular season, a Friday, October 6 match against the Washington Spirit, has been moved up by two hours to 5:00 p.m. PT and will now be broadcast on CBS. This will be the club’s first time hosting a game which airs on CBS. The match will serve as a celebration of Megan Rapinoe’s career ahead of her retirement at the conclusion of the 2023 NWSL season.

“Megan’s remarkable impact on the National Women’s Soccer League and the global women’s sports community has been truly inspiring to witness,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a league release. “The success she achieved on the pitch throughout her career has been nothing short of extraordinary, but it’s her off-field efforts to make our game an accessible, fair and inclusive space for all that have truly cemented her as a trailblazer. I have no doubt that her legacy as both an athlete and an advocate will continue to drive meaningful change beyond the pitch for years to come, and I wish her nothing but success as she begins this new chapter.”

The club also announced further details on the events which will take place before and during the game to commemorate Rapinoe. Highlights include a pregame ceremony featuring several in-stadium activations at Lumen Field, as well as a halftime television feature. Further details on those events will be shared as the date draws closer. In addition, CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide a look back at Rapinoe’s career throughout the week leading up to the game.

Due to high demand for tickets, the Reign have opened all seats in the lower bowl of Lumen Field for only the second time in its two years of calling the venue home. Ticket sales have already surpassed the club’s standalone non-playoff record of 12,061 and are expected to break the all-time attendance record of 21,491, set at last year’s semifinal match against Kansas City. Fans who can no longer attend the game due to the time change are encouraged to contact the club to make arrangements.