YouTube has become the new streaming platform for Women’s Super League (WSL) games ahead of the 2024/25 season.
All non-televised 66 WSL games will be streamed on the Google-owned platform globally, as well as Women’s Championship fixtures.
YouTube replaces FA Player as the preferred streaming platform for both of England’s top two women’s football divisions. The platform will deliver regular dedicated content for both leagues, including highlights and post match interviews.
Despite losing WSL games, FA Player will retain the rights to broadcast Women’s FA Cup fixtures as well as additional content surrounding the competition.
Nikki Doucet, Chief Executive of the WSL and Women’s Championship, commented: “It is also a landmark moment for us with our transition to YouTube as our streaming service.
“The FA Player has been a hugely important part of the growth of women’s football in recent years, and the free-to-air reach it has afforded our teams has been crucial in our development.
“Coupled with the high-quality coverage provided by our broadcast partners Sky Sports and the BBC, watching the women’s professional game here in the UK has never been easier.
“As we continue our journey into the NewCo, YouTube will offer even more supporters, both current and future, the opportunity to enjoy our amazing leagues at a click of a button.”
The WSL’s arrival onto YouTube presents a significant opportunity for the league to extend its visibility. The platform was the second most-trafficked website last year – behind Google – and had over 122 million daily viewers, according to Global Media Insights.
Furthermore, the WSL and Women’s Championship renewed its domestic broadcast deal with Sky Sports and the BBC for a further year. For the 2024/25 campaign, Sky Sports will show 44 matches and BBC will broadcast 22, with the rest to be made available free-of-charge on YouTube. YouTube also showcases fixtures from the UEFA Women’s Champions League via DAZN.
A report last year from Crux Sports revealed that DAZN’s YouTube coverage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League grew fan engagement with the tournament by 80%.
