NWSL shopping a new rights package for 2026
NWSL shopping a new rights package for 2026
The soccer league has already reportedly sold out on ad inventory at its current outlets, and wants to expand.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is back on the open market. According to Sports Business Journal, the league is shopping a new package of broadcast rights that will start in 2026, and will include a new inventory of games not currently shown in existing partners.
Key Details:
- NWSL’s current TV deals only offer around 62% of the league’s games.
- A new package could focus on Sunday night games.
- NWSL has reportedly sold out its ad inventory on existing TV packages.
There are several reasons for NWSL to try and create a new package of TV rights to sell. For one, the league is expanding in size; expansion teams have been formally announced in Boston and Denver, creating a larger amount of game inventory.
Another reason is that the league's current TV deals with CBS, ESPN, ION, and Prime Video only cover around 62% of games, with the rest appearing on the NWSL+ streaming service. The league wants to make a new package of games built around appointment viewing, and will likely be focused on Sunday nights.
SBJ reports that all four current media partners have completely sold out their advertising inventory for the season, and that means there’s a new opportunity for the league — and its new partner — to cash in on the 100+ games per season that aren’t currently put on linear TV or a major streamer.
Who could have an interest in this package of NWSL games? Netflix would seem to be the ideal choice. This streaming service follows a philosophy of only pursuing live sports it can make into proper viewing events, and a Sunday night lineup of NWSL games would fit the bill. Netflix also owns the rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031, which would pair quite nicely with a package of NWSL contests, especially given how well Team USA has performed in past Women’s World Cups.
There will likely be many other interested parties in a new NWSL package, and bidding could get quite competitive. Whoever wins, it appears there will be more women’s soccer available to stream in the United States starting next season.
Prime Video
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