Women's sports hit new heights

Major gains in television viewing and attendance at women's sports in 2024 will give way to expansion in 2025 as startups and established leagues alike look to take advantage of the surging interest, industry leaders and experts have said.

North America's top-flight National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) both saw record viewing figures, while fans in the United Kingdom devoted more time than ever to watching the Women's Super League (WSL), and television ratings soared in the second season of Women's Premier League cricket.

Deep-pocketed investors took notice, and growth will be the theme for 2025 as the WNBA welcomes its first new franchise since 2008, when the Golden State Valkyries begin play next year.