NWSL standings, schedule, how to watch: When does league return after 2024 Paris Olympics?

After the NWSL paused its regular season for the Olympics, the league will resume play in a matter of weeks as it begins to welcome back the 56 players who competed for their national teams in France.

The NWSL had more players at the Paris Games than any other league including 27 of the 44 players who were rostered or named as alternates in the gold medal Game, in which the U.S. women's national team beat Brazil 1-0. Fifteen members of the 18-person USWNT roster also play in the NWSL, while all four alternates named to the gold medal-winning team also play in the USA-based league.

Several players who took part in the Paris Games are expected to feature for their club teams as soon as Aug. 23, when the Orlando Pride -- home to Brazil silver-medalist Marta and Zambia's Barbra Banda -- Travel to the Houston Dash as they continue their push to win the NWSL Shield for the first time. Many are likely to be re-integrated into their club teams over the coming weeks as the race to the playoffs takes center stage with just 10 Games left on the schedule.

The first regular season weekend following the Olympics will see three games broadcast across CBS Sports' platforms, including a doubleheader on CBS on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Here's what you need to know ahead of the NWSL's regular season return.

When does the NWSL return?

The NWSL regular season resumes on Friday, Aug. 23 with a full weekend of games featuring every team. You can see the schedule for the first post-Olympics batch of games below, which includes three games across CBS Sports' platforms.

All times U.S./Eastern

Friday, Aug. 23
Houston Dash vs. Orlando Pride, 8 p.m. (Amazon Prime Video)
Utah Royals vs. Bay FC, 9:30 p.m. (NWSL+)

Saturday, Aug. 24
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Portland Thorns, 2:30 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
San Diego Wave vs. Angel City, 4:30 p.m. (CBS, Paramount+)
Racing Louisville vs. Chicago Red Stars, 7:30 p.m. (Ion)

Sunday, Aug. 25
Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current, 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network, Paramount+)
Seattle Reign vs. North Carolina Courage, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)

What was the NWSL doing during the break?

The NWSL used the Olympics break to launch the first edition of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, a first-of-its-kind competition between all 14 teams in the league and six of the best teams in Mexico's top flight, Liga MX Femenil. After the group stage and the semifinals, NJ/NY Gotham FC will take on Kansas City Current in the Oct. 25 final at San Antonio's Toyota Field.

How many Olympians compete in the NWSL?

The NWSL sent 56 players to the Olympics, including 19 of the 22 players on the gold-medal-winning U.S. team in Paris. The Pride and NJ/NY Gotham FC led the pack with seven players each at the Olympics, with Gotham boasting six members of the USWNT that won gold. The Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns were right behind them with six players each at the Paris Games.

Current standings