Sky Sports is poised to significantly increase its coverage of the Women's Super League (WSL) starting from the 2026-27 season. This potential expansion of broadcast rights aligns with the WSL's own strategic growth plans, which include increasing the number of teams in the league and enhancing the overall competitiveness and appeal of women's football in England.
Currently, Sky Sports holds a significant broadcast deal with the WSL. Sky Sports has signed a new five-year deal to broadcast the WSL, securing the rights to show nearly 90 per cent of the league's games. From next season, Sky will broadcast 118 matches from the WSL, up more than three times the number of games currently, with 78 fixtures shown exclusively. The new partnership also gives Sky the option to show matches from the Women's Championship and Women's League Cup, including the final.
This increased coverage reflects the growing popularity and commercial viability of women's football. With viewership numbers on the rise, and greater sponsorship opportunities, investing in broadcasting WSL matches makes strategic sense for Sky Sports.
The potential increase in WSL games shown on Sky Sports from the 2026-27 season coincides with the league's expansion from 12 to 14 teams. This expansion, approved recently, aims to further elevate the standard of play and create more opportunities for clubs across the women's football pyramid. To accommodate this expansion, a change to the promotion and relegation system has also been approved. The top two teams in the second-tier Women's Super League 2 (WSL2) will be automatically promoted to the WSL at the end of the 2025-26 season. Additionally, a promotion/relegation playoff will be introduced, where the 12th-placed WSL team will compete against the third-placed team in WSL 2 for a spot in the top flight. From the 2026-27 season onwards, the bottom team (14th place) in the WSL will be automatically relegated, the WSL 2 champions will gain automatic promotion, and the 13th-placed WSL team will face the WSL 2 runners-up in a playoff.
The WSL's decision to expand to 14 teams and introduce a playoff system underscores its commitment to long-term growth and sustainability. The changes aim to foster greater competition, incentivize investment across all levels of the women's game, and provide a clear pathway for ambitious clubs to reach the top flight.
The move to expand the WSL came after the transfer of ownership of the WSL and WSL 2 from the Football Association to the Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), now known as WSL Football. This transition has empowered clubs to become shareholders and actively participate in shaping the future of the league.
With Sky Sports' commitment to broadcasting a significant number of WSL games, and the league's strategic expansion plans, the future of women's football in England looks bright. The increased exposure and investment are expected to drive further growth, attract new fans, and inspire the next generation of female footballers.
