Starting in 2026, coverage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will expand significantly, thanks to an updated media rights agreement.
ESPN and ABC will broadcast weekly NWSL matches, totaling 36 games, including the eight Decision Day matches, two quarter-finals and one semi-final.
CBS has also increased its stake, adding games to its current agreement, bringing its total to 38 matches for next season. Additionally, the NWSL has announced a new agreement with the streaming platform Victory+ for the broadcast of Sunday prime-time matches throughout the season.
We are expanding the visibility and reach of NWSL matches because the demand is there.
Jessica Berman, NWSL commissioner
These updated agreements will be in effect for the 2026 and 2027 seasons of the NWSL and expand upon the original media rights agreements that the league signed before the 2024 season.
The initial agreements, which involved ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime, and Scripps (ION), were for four years and totaled $240 million before the 2024 season.
These agreements will end at the end of the 2027 season. Next season, two new teams, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, will join the NWSL, increasing the league to 16 teams and adding 32 additional matches to the schedule.
All NWSL matches on ESPN will be available on the ESPN app via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication.
Distribution of matches per partner (2026-2027)
CBS Sports: 38 total matches (10 regular season, 1 quarterfinal, 1 semifinal, and the NWSL Championship on CBS; 20 on CBS Sports Network; 5 on platform to be determined)
