Exclusive: ESPN picks up rights to WSL in USA
US broadcaster signs new deal to broadcast WSL following initial agreement last season
ESPN, the US sports broadcaster, will show live WSL games across the 2025-26 season, The Cutback can reveal.
WSL games were listed in ESPN’s flagship streaming app on Thursday and sources confirmed to The Cutback that a new agreement had been reached. It is unclear whether it will be a repeat of the one-year broadcast deal that was signed for the 2024-25 season or a long-term deal.
This follows a similar scenario last season where the WSL secured a late deal with ESPN to show WSL games across the campaign on ESPN+.
On Thursday, the WSL announced its international broadcast partners, but the list did not feature a rights partner in USA.
The WSL’s list of international broadcast partners comprise:
Australia – Stan Sport/Nine
Belgium – RTL
Brazil – GOAT and X-Sports
Canada – Rogers
China – Migu, Hayu and iQiyi
Croatia & Slovenia - SportKlub
Israel – Charlton
Italy – Sky Italia (highlights only)
Japan – U-Next
MENA – Dubai TV
Mexico & Central America – Fox
Netherlands –Ziggo
Norway –VG
Pan Regional – W-Sport
South East Asia –beIN Sports
Spain –Movistar
Sub Saharan Africa –Azam TV
In the UK, Sky Sports will be showing up to 118 live games across the 2025-26 season with 78 matches shown exclusively. Meanwhile, the BBC will air 21 games, 14 of those on an exclusive basis. Additional non-exclusive games will be on the WSL’s YouTube channel.
The WSL season kicks off with Chelsea-Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.