BBC and Sky Sports have retained Women’s Super League UK broadcast rights until end of 2029-30 season.
BBC will broadcast 21 matches in total consisting of 14 games spread across BBC’s TV channels plus seven matches on BBC iPlayer.
Digital clips from every WSL fixture will be available on BBC Sport website, app and social media, whilst audio coverage of selected fixtures will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds plus local BBC radio stations.
Under the deal, BBC will have coverage of Women’s League Cup Final every season until the end of the contract.
Director of BBC Sport, Alex Kay-Jelski has welcomed the new deal for free-to-air audiences, which ensures that BBC will continue their WSL coverage beyond this season.
“It’s great to see the WSL growing and growing and I’m delighted that the BBC are carrying on as a partner on that journey.
“There are so many great players, matches and stories each season and this deal allows fans to enjoy them for free wherever they are, whether it’s clips on website, iPlayer and social media or the full 90 minutes on TV, radio and Sounds.
“We remain the most-used sports broadcaster in the UK, providing unparalleled cross-platform coverage, so it’s brilliant to be able to continue bringing the WSL to audiences as part of our unparalleled free-to-air portfolio.”
Sky Sports have retained Pay TV rights which will see them show 118 matches in total, of which 78 fixtures will be exclusively live, whilst Sky will also be allowed to showcase selected Women’s Championship and Women’s League Cup fixtures.
Sky Group CEO, Dana Strong described this new deal as “…an incredibly exciting and significant moment for women’s sport.”
Strong proceeded to explain that this deal underlines their commitment to the sport and its future growth on and off the pitch.
“The longer-term partnership reflects our commitment to women’s football and provides the platform for us to keep working with the WPLL to bring in more fans, grow the game and create the most entertaining and competitive women’s football league in the world.
“As the home of sport, Sky is already by far the biggest investor in women’s sport in the UK and Ireland, and this new partnership further demonstrates our backing of elite female athletes. We look forward to telling their stories and inspiring the next generation of fans.”
Women’s Professional Leagues Limited CEO, Nikki Doucet added that this new five-year broadcasting contract was considered “a priority” for the WSL and felt that BBC plus Sky share the “… value of women’s football as much as we do.”
Doucet acknowledged the ongoing growth of the sport and praised both broadcasters for their work in improving the coverage’s visibility.
“Sky Sports and the BBC are long-time backers and their contribution to the growth of the women’s game should not go without recognition.
“They provide excellent visibility coupled with first-class production values and we look forward to building on our partnership over the coming years.”
ITV will remain as the sole broadcaster of England Women’s fixtures until summer 2029, as was announced last week.
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