CHIKUN/KAJURU REP, HON. FIDELIX BAGUDU, ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE. (PHOTO).
ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League have expanded their media rights agreement, increasing the network’s coverage for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The supplemental deal will add 16 more regular-season games per year on ABC and ESPN, raising the total number of NWSL matches broadcast on Disney networks from 17 to 33 each season. It also introduces the league’s “Match of the Week” series on ABC or ESPN and will air all NWSL Decision Day games live, featuring eight matches played simultaneously on the final day of the season. All games will be available through the ESPN app, the network’s direct-to-consumer service, and traditional pay-TV providers.
The agreement builds on the four-year media rights deal originally announced in 2023, under which ABC and ESPN continue to present the league playoffs, including two quarterfinals and one semifinal match. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman highlighted the growing demand for women’s soccer and said the expansion ensures players and clubs receive greater visibility. ESPN programming executive Rosalyn Durant emphasized the network’s commitment to elevating women’s sports and athlete stories.
The NWSL set attendance and viewership records in 2025, with audiences across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 increasing by 72% compared to 2024. Disney remains a major broadcast partner, alongside CBS, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, with the entire media rights deal valued at $240 million through the 2027 season.
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