ESPN Launches Women’s Sports Sundays Primetime Franchise
ESPN is introducing “Women’s Sports Sundays,” a new weekly primetime programming block dedicated to women’s sports, beginning in Summer 2026. The initiative will feature live games from the WNBA and NWSL, filling the schedule previously occupied by Sunday Night Baseball .
A New Era for Women’s Sports on ESPN
The “Women’s Sports Sundays” franchise will span nine consecutive weeks and showcase 12 live games. ESPN aims to elevate the visibility of women’s sports and provide a consistent, high-profile platform for athletes and leagues . Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions, emphasized that the initiative is about more than just broadcasting games; it’s about building a destination that reflects the “passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports” .
Growth in WNBA and NWSL Viewership
The launch of “Women’s Sports Sundays” comes as both the WNBA and NWSL experience increasing viewership and investment. WNBA games on ESPN and ABC averaged 1.3 million viewers across 25 windows in the previous season, a 6% increase . The NWSL championship game as well reached a milestone, drawing over 1 million average viewers for the first time in 2025 .
New Media Rights Deals Fuel Expansion
The 2026 WNBA season will be the first under new media rights deals totaling US$75 billion over 11 years with Amazon, ESPN, and NBC. The WNBA component of these deals is valued at US$2.2 billion (or US$200 million annually) . ESPN’s commitment includes airing a minimum of 25 regular season contests, eight semi-final series games, and five WNBA Finals games throughout the contract .
ESPN also has a four-year agreement with the NWSL, with plans to broadcast 36 live games in 2026, including all eight “Decision Day” matches and select playoff games .
Beyond Game Coverage
“Women’s Sports Sundays” will be supported by ESPN’s broader media ecosystem, including studio programming, storytelling initiatives, and extensive digital and social media coverage . Susie Piotrkowski, Vice President of Women’s Sports Programming and espnW, noted that programming will extend beyond the primetime window, with events scheduled throughout the day .