Ted Lasso Episode 26: Big Week

Ted asks Sassy out on a real date after they spend the night together, but she turns him down and says they’re better off keeping things casual because they’re both a “mess.”

Richmond is deep in preparations for its match against West Ham, and the episode centers on the tension around Ted’s first encounter with Nate since Nate left the club. Beard and Roy work out the team’s plan for the game and settle on a formation they call **“Nate’s False Nine,”** a tactic they expect may catch Nate off guard.

Before kickoff, Ted and Nate briefly cross paths in an elevator, making their reunion especially uncomfortable. At the same time, Beard and Roy show Ted footage of Nate tearing apart the “Believe” sign, which Trent has recently uncovered. That discovery becomes a key emotional trigger for what happens later in the match.

On the West Ham side, Nate is preparing for the game under pressure, while Rupert encourages him to suppress any regret he feels about leaving Richmond. The episode also includes a separate thread involving Keeley meeting Jack, the woman running the VC firm that invested in her PR company.

The first half goes badly for Richmond despite controlling much of the play, as West Ham score twice before halftime. Rebecca awkwardly tries to motivate Ted during the break and tells him to stop worrying about the pressure and just have fun.

During halftime, Beard and Roy show the team the video of Nate destroying the “Believe” sign, and the players react with anger. Richmond then comes out for the second half playing with reckless aggression, which backfires badly: three Richmond players are sent off, and West Ham wins 4–1.

After the match, Nate is celebrated for his role in the win and is introduced to a famous model, though he clearly does not enjoy the evening much. Rebecca later notices Rupert flirting with his assistant and confronts him about it.

The episode ends with Ted back at his apartment speaking with Michelle over FaceTime, where he admits that Jacob’s presence in her life is upsetting him. He also tells her that he will always care for her and Henry no matter what happens.