Ranking of the Ten Most-Followed Female Athletic Leagues Globally in 2025
In the realm of women's sports, several leagues across the globe are making a significant impact, captivating audiences and fostering local talent. Here's a snapshot of some of the most prominent leagues:
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), founded in 1996, remains the most popular female sports league globally. With 14 teams in 2025, the WNBA boasts a robust media presence on platforms like ESPN, Amazon Prime, and its own League Pass. The 2024 season saw a 226% increase in viewership for its opening games, driven by stars such as Caitlin Clark and the New York Liberty's championship win.
Across the Atlantic, the Women's British Basketball League (WBBL) is the UK's best women's basketball league. Featuring 11 teams from England and Scotland, the WBBL has been growing steadily since 2014, thanks in part to collaborations with British Basketball. It's an important element of women's sports around the world, focusing on nurturing local talent.
Football, or soccer as it's known in some parts, has its own share of prominent leagues. The Women's Super League (WSL) in England is one of the best women's sports leagues worldwide, promoting women's rugby and the success of England's Red Roses on the world stage. In the United States, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league, with 14 teams in 2025. The NWSL features a regular season followed by playoffs, with the NWSL Shield awarded to the top regular-season team and the NWSL Championship for the playoff winner.
In Australia, the AFLW, launched in 2017, is the premier women's Australian rules football league. Featuring 18 teams, the AFLW is renowned for its fast-paced, physical gameplay. The league's commitment to gender equality, including equal pay discussions and community engagement, has made it a model for other leagues.
The Telstra NRLW, Australia's highest semi-professional women's rugby league, is growing in popularity. Featuring 10 teams from Australia and New Zealand, the league has an average of 200,000 people watching each game in 2022.
In rugby league, the Betfred Women's Super League is England's premier professional league, featuring 8 clubs and running from March to October. Meanwhile, the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby is the most important women's rugby union league globally, running from September to May with 8 clubs, including the Saracens and Exeter Chiefs. Allianz, a sponsor for the league in 2025, is involved in supporting grassroots rugby clubs across the UK and associated with the league's commercial and legacy activities.
In Mexico, the Women's Liga MX, launched in 2016, is the premier women's soccer league, featuring 18 teams. In rugby league, Tigres UANL has dominated Liga MX Femenil, securing six titles.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the champions of Liga MX Femenil compete for the Campeón de Campeonas title. Similarly, the AFLW's champions compete for the AFLW Grand Final, and the NWSL's champions compete for the NWSL Championship.
These leagues, each with their unique charms and competitive spirits, are not just shaping the landscape of women's sports, but also inspiring a new generation of athletes and fans alike.
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