NWSL’s Record Media Deals Drive Schedule Expansion

The NWSL’s new record-setting $240 million media deals are already influencing a significant expansion of the league’s schedule.

In 2024, as new franchises launch in the Bay Area and Salt Lake City, the NWSL’s 14 clubs will each play 26 regular-season matches, four more than the 22-game schedule this past campaign. 

The postseason, meanwhile, will expand from six to eight teams, eliminating first-round byes for top seeds and adding two more playoff games in the process. Altogether, the NWSL will play 190 matches in 2024, up from 137 this year, providing dozens more opportunities for clubs to bring in new ticketing and sponsorship revenue on top of the 40-times increase in annual media rights fees.

More games also mean more inventory for the NWSL’s new incumbent media partners, Amazon Prime Video, Scripps Sports, CBS Sports, and ESPN, who together will broadcast 118 matches to national audiences. The remaining games will be available via a league streaming package.

Last season, the NWSL set an attendance record with more than 1 million fans attending games across the league. The NWSL is also aggressively exploring adding two more expansion teams by 2026, growing the league to 16 franchises.