“This is the beginning of our future.” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman truly meant these words when she announced one of the largest broadcast agreements in women’s sports history on November 9, 2023—signed with Prime Video, Scripps Sports, ESPN, and CBS—securing a $240 million payday spread across four seasons. Why, you ask? Well, even though the deal only began last season, the surge in the American women’s league’s popularity has already compelled ESPN to introduce another remarkable revamp.
And mind you, we aren’t joking when we say surge. Citing figures shared by Nielsen Big Data + Panel, ESPN journalist Jeff Kassouf revealed in a tweet that, in 2025 so far, the NWSL audience across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 has grown by a whopping 72 percent compared to 2024, the first year of the deal.
“The NWSL showcases some of the best athletes in the world,” said Rosalyn Durant, executive vice president, programming and acquisitions, ESPN. “We are proud to increase our commitment on ABC and ESPN, and to further elevate women’s sports and the athlete stories.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“We are expanding the discoverability and reach of NWSL matches because the demand is there,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “The expanded commitments from CBS Sports and ESPN, paired with a new national Sunday night showcase with Victory+, bolster the NWSL’s trajectory of unprecedented growth.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
2026-2027 NWSL match distribution
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 TBD platform)
ESPN: 36 total matches (33 regular season, including all 8 Decision Day matches, plus 2 quarterfinals and 1 semifinal)
Victory+: 57 total matches (25 Sunday Night matches, plus 32 additional)
Prime Video: 27 total matches (25 regular season, 1 Challenge Cup, 1 quarterfinal)
Scripps/ION: 50 regular-season Saturday night matches
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
NWSL+: 40 total matches