NWSL announces new media partnerships expanding agreements with CBS Sports and ESPN and a new partnership with Victory+

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18.09.2025
NWSL ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS EXPANDING AGREEMENTS WITH CBS SPORTS AND ESPN AND A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH VICTORY+
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced a mid-cycle expansion of its landmark media rights package, building on agreements with CBS Sports and ESPN, and adding a new partnership with Victory+ through the 2026-27 seasons. 
 
As part of this expanded package, ABC and ESPN networks will carry weekly regular season games, culminating in exclusive rights to all eight Decision Day matches. All NWSL on ESPN matches are available on the ESPN App via ESPN DTC or Pay TV authentication. 
 
CBS Sports will add more regular season matches on CBS Sports Network, supplementing a lineup highlighted by the fifth consecutive primetime telecast of the NWSL Championship on CBS and Paramount+. 
 
The addition of Victory+ as the league’s fifth media partner will significantly increase distribution, introducing 25 new weekly Sunday primetime broadcasts in 2026. This expansion will coincide with the debut of the league’s 15th and 16th teams and will include an additional 32 games, all of which will be available for free streaming on the Victory+ platform. 
 
This mid-cycle expansion builds upon the groundbreaking domestic media rights deal the NWSL reached in 2023, which brought 121 national windows across CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps/ION. Since its launch, the package has generated record viewership, quadrupling audiences in its first year and continuing to post surging gains across key demographics. Global sports marketing agency IMG, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., advised the NWSL and negotiated on its behalf. 
 
“We are expanding the discoverability and reach of NWSL matches because the demand is there,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “These additional media packages will help us reach new audiences and build a new generation of fandom. 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.” 
 
2026–2027 Match Distribution by Partner 
 
● 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 
● NWSL+: 40 total matches 
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