A Historic Season: The Road to the Northwest Champions Cup

The inaugural Cascadia Premier League Women’s season will be remembered as a landmark moment for adult women’s soccer in the Pacific Northwest.

What began with a vision to create more meaningful opportunities for female players quickly became something much bigger. Week after week, clubs from across Washington represented their communities with pride, passion, and an incredible standard of soccer. New rivalries were formed, unforgettable moments were created, and the foundation for what promises to be a special competition for years to come was firmly established.

The 2026 season featured outstanding competition from the opening weekend through to the Northwest Champions Cup, with every point earned and every match carrying significance as teams battled for divisional titles and a place in the postseason.

The Bellevue Valkyries set the standard throughout the campaign. Consistent, disciplined, and relentless, they captured the Baker Division title with a series of impressive performances that established them as one of the league’s benchmark clubs. Their reward was a place in the inaugural Northwest Champions Cup semifinals.

In the Rainier Division, Tacoma Galaxy produced a tremendous campaign to earn their division championship, while defending champions Bellingham United once again demonstrated why they remain one of the region’s premier women’s clubs, battling their way into the playoffs after another highly competitive season.

The semifinals delivered exactly what supporters hoped for. Bellevue advanced with a composed 2-0 victory over FC Olympia, while Bellingham and Tacoma Galaxy produced one of the matches of the season. After a dramatic contest that required extra time, Bellingham edged out a thrilling 3-2 victory to book their place in the championship match.

That set the stage for a fitting final between two outstanding teams.

Facing the defending champions, Bellevue Valkyries delivered a performance worthy of champions. Displaying quality across every area of the field, they secured a convincing 4-1 victory to lift the first-ever Northwest Champions Cup and etch their name into Cascadia Premier League history.

While the trophy belongs to Bellevue, the success of this season belongs to every club, player, coach, referee, volunteer, and supporter who helped make the league what it became.

Women’s soccer in the Pacific Northwest continues to grow, and the level of talent displayed throughout this inaugural season showed exactly why more opportunities like this are needed. Every club contributed to raising the standard of competition, creating meaningful local rivalries, and giving players a platform to continue representing their communities long after their youth careers have ended.

A special congratulations goes to the Bellevue Valkyries.

Champions on the field, outstanding ambassadors for the game, and deserving winners of both the Baker Division and the inaugural Northwest Champions Cup, the Valkyries have set the benchmark for future seasons. Their commitment, professionalism, and team-first mentality made them worthy champions, and everyone at the Cascadia Premier League congratulates the players, coaching staff, and supporters on an unforgettable year.

As one historic season comes to a close, the work has only just begun.

The Cascadia Premier League was founded with a simple goal: to provide a high-level, community-based pathway for adult soccer while continuing to grow opportunities for women throughout the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to the commitment of our clubs and the passion shown every weekend, that vision is already becoming a reality.

To every player who pulled on their club’s jersey, every supporter who came through the gates or tuned into our broadcasts, every official, volunteer, and partner who helped bring this league to life—thank you.

This was only Chapter One.

We can’t wait to see what the next season brings.