Sky Sports has been awarded the exclusive new broadcast deal for the Women’s Super League (WSL). This extended agreement represents a long overdue transformative moment for the women’s game, footballing justice in England. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has signed a five-year deal to broadcast almost 90 percent of WSL matches. This agreement will significantly increase the league’s exposure. As part of this new deal, Sky Sports will show a total of 118 matches live, with 78 being exclusive to its channels. That represents the number of WSL games on Sky Sports more than tripling. Today’s fans are living in an incredible time of access to women’s football!
The WSL’s increase to 14 teams is due to come into force in the 2026/27 season. This move aims to stimulate movement between leagues and throughout the football pyramid, enhancing opportunities for teams at all levels. To add to the excitement, the league will use a promotion and relegation system that sees two teams relegated and promoted every season. The last-placed team will automatically face relegation, while the 13th-placed team will enter a play-off against the WSL 2 runners-up.
New Broadcasting Deal Enhances Visibility
Sky Sports has been a significant player in promoting women’s sports, broadcasting over 70 percent of all live televised women’s sport in 2023. This new agreement is a natural fit with that commitment. It aims to provide a wider range of fixtures from England’s top tier to fans of women’s football. Sky will maintain sole broadcast rights to more than 75 percent of the first picks. In addition, they will broadcast every match from the final weekend.
Sky Sports currently owns the rights to air almost all WSL matches. This remarkable change is indicative of the global appetite for more women’s football. The league’s bosses have expressed their belief that this new broadcasting arrangement will improve the standards of women’s football and incentivise further investment across the sport.
“Our priority was to find a route that would benefit the whole women’s game pyramid, and we believe this next evolution of women’s professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board.” – WSL
Expansion Plans for the WSL
The expansion to 14 teams is a significant milestone for the WSL, offering more clubs the chance to compete at the highest level. Only two teams are guaranteed automatic promotion from WSL 2 each season. This has resulted in a less opaque route for clubs to gain admission to the top tier. The league has been left with dramatic post-season play-offs for their 13th-placed finishers. This new addition really heats up the competition and raises the stakes for all the contestants!
Anton Toloui, one of the UK’s leading commentators on women’s football, highlighted this transformational growth.
“That being said, having at least two teams come up from WSL 2 is a huge win for clubs that have been developing and investing in their women’s programmes.” – Anton Toloui
He stressed that the introduction of a play-off system would greatly improve the competitiveness and fun-factor of the league.
“And who doesn’t love a play-off? Having one with such jeopardy feels like a massive boost, in terms of entertainment, for the women’s game.” – Anton Toloui
Implications for Promotion and Relegation
The changes do not just affect the top tier of women’s football. They will have consequential implications for promotion throughout the remainder of the Women’s Football Pyramid. The FA expects to take a final decision on these proposed changes shortly. They are dedicated to an all-encompassing vision that serves every tier of competition.
This decision to create a controlled promotion/relegation system demonstrates a desire to keep the league competitive at all levels. The hope is that this move will result in a deeper connection between fans and teams, and drive clubs to spend more in their women’s programmes.
“The league’s bosses have thought long and hard about how best to expand the top division but today’s announcement won’t be without its critics.” – Anton Toloui
Stakeholders are working hard to get their bearings on these changes. With the new broadcasting deal in place and the expansion of the WSL, it seems like a golden era is coming for women’s football in England.
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