ESPN secures media rights to Women’s Pro Baseball League, bringing full season and playoffs to ESPN starting August 1
- Agreement marks national media deal during WPBL’s inaugural season, with coverage through September championship
ESPN has reached a media rights agreement with the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL), making ESPN the national streaming home of the League’s 2026 season in the United States and U.S. territories. Under the agreement, ESPN will distribute WPBL content across all means and media, marking a significant milestone for the League as it continues to build its national presence.
Thirty-seven games will stream on ESPN during the inaugural season, including 11 regular-season games that will also be simulcast on the Scripps Sports Network. ESPN will exclusively carry the WPBL postseason, including the Championship Series. WPBL will be responsible for production of all game telecasts.
“Bringing the WPBL to ESPN is an exciting addition to our growing baseball offerings,” said Ashley O’Connor, Vice President of Programming at ESPN. “This agreement enhances our already strong baseball lineup, underscores our dedication to women’s sports, and provides fans with access to a compelling new professional league.”
The agreement underscores ESPN’s continued commitment to elevating women’s sports and expanding visibility for emerging leagues and athletes. Across the season, ESPN platforms will carry 30 regular-season games, the League’s signature events and full championship series.
Coverage will begin with the opening slate of games in 2026, culminating with the WPBL Championship Series, which will determine the league champion in a best-of-five format.
About the Women’s Pro Baseball League
The Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) is the only professional women’s baseball league in the United States. The League’s historic inaugural season is set to start August 1 and will run through September, including both a regular season and playoffs. The League’s debut season will feature their four teams – New York Heights, Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, and San Francisco Firebells – and will be held at historic Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The League is Co-Founded by baseball pioneer Justine Siegal, who is the first woman to coach a professional men’s baseball team and to pitch batting practice in Major League Baseball. For more information, visit www.womensprobaseballleague.com.
2026 WPBL Schedule on ESPN Platforms
Date Time (ET) Matchup Network Aug. 1, 2026 6:00 PM Los Angeles vs. New York ESPN Select Aug. 2, 2026 7:30 PM San Francisco at Boston ** ESPN Select Aug. 5, 2026 7:30 PM Boston vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 6, 2026 7:30 PM New York at San Francisco ** ESPN Select Aug. 7, 2026 7:30 PM San Francisco vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 8, 2026 2:00 PM Boston vs. New York ESPN Select Aug. 8, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles vs. San Francisco ESPN Select Aug. 9, 2026 7:30 PM New York at Boston ** ESPN Select Aug. 12, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles vs. San Francisco ESPN Select Aug. 13, 2026 7:30 PM Boston at New York ** ESPN Select Aug. 14, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles vs. San Francisco ESPN Select Aug. 15, 2026 2:00 PM San Francisco vs. New York ESPN Select Aug. 15, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles vs. Boston ESPN Select Aug. 16, 2026 7:30 PM Boston at New York ** ESPN Select Aug. 19, 2026 7:30 PM New York vs. San Francisco ESPN Select Aug. 20, 2026 7:30 PM New York at Boston ** ESPN Select Aug. 21, 2026 7:30 PM San Francisco vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 22, 2026 2:00 PM San Francisco vs. Boston ESPN Select Aug. 22, 2026 7:30 PM New York vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 23, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles at Boston ** ESPN Select Aug. 26, 2026 7:30 PM Boston vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 27, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles at New York ** ESPN Select Aug. 28, 2026 7:30 PM Boston vs. San Francisco ESPN Select Aug. 29, 2026 7:30 PM New York vs. Los Angeles ESPN Select Aug. 30, 2026 7:30 PM New York at San Francisco** ESPN Select Sept. 2, 2026 7:30 PM San Francisco vs. Boston ESPN Select Sept. 3, 2026 7:30 PM New York at Los Angeles** ESPN Select Sept. 4, 2026 7:30 PM San Francisco vs. New York ESPN Select Sept. 5, 2026 7:30 PM Los Angeles vs. Boston ESPN Select Sept. 6, 2026 7:30 PM Boston at San Francisco ** ESPN Select Sept. 9, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal A | Game 1 ESPN Select Sept. 10, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal B | Game 1 ESPN Select Sept. 11, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal A | Game 2 ESPN Select Sept. 12, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal B | Game 2 ESPN Select Sept. 13, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal A | Game 3* ESPN Select Sept. 14, 2026 7:30 PM Semifinal B | Game 3* ESPN Select Sept. 16, 2026 7:30 PM Championship Game 1 ESPN Select Sept. 17, 2026 7:30 PM Championship Game 2 ESPN Select Sept. 19, 2026 7:30 PM Championship Game 3 ESPN Select Sept. 20, 2026 7:30 PM Championship Game 4* ESPN Select Sept. 22, 2026 7:30 PM Championship Game 5* ESPN Select
* If necessary.
** Also simulcast on Scripps Sports Network.
