- 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 |
| Sat., Aug 1 | 6 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. New York | ESPN+ |
| Sun., Aug 2 | 7:30 p.m. | San Francisco at Boston ** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Aug 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston vs. Los Angeles | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Aug 6 | 7:30 p.m. | New York at San Francisco ** | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Aug 7 | 7:30 p.m. | San Francisco vs. Los Angeles | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Aug 8 | 2 p.m. | Boston vs. New York | EESPN+ |
| 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. San Francisco | ESPN+ | |
| Sun., Aug 9 | 7:30 p.m. | New York at Boston ** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Aug 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. San Francisco | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Aug 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston at New York ** | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Aug 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. San Francisco | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Aug 15 | 2 p.m. | San Francisco vs. New York | ESPN+ |
| 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. Boston | ESPN+ | |
| Sun., Aug 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston at New York ** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Aug 19 | 7:30 p.m. | New York vs. San Francisco | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Aug 20 | 7:30 p.m. | New York at Boston ** | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Aug 21 | 7:30 p.m. | San Francisco vs. Los Angeles | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Aug 22 | 2 p.m. | San Francisco vs. Boston | ESPN+ |
| 7:30 p.m. | New York vs. Los Angeles | ESPN+ | |
| Sun., Aug 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles at Boston ** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Aug 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston vs. Los Angeles | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Aug 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles at New York ** | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Aug 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston vs. San Francisco | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Aug 29 | 7:30 p.m. | New York vs. Los Angeles | EESPN+ |
| Sun., Aug 30 | 7:30 p.m. | New York at San Francisco** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Sept 2 | 7:30 p.m. | San Francisco vs. Boston | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Sept 3 | 7:30 p.m. | New York at Los Angeles** | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Sept 4 | 7:30 p.m. | San Francisco vs. New York | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Sept 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Los Angeles vs. Boston | ESPN+ |
| Sun., Sept 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Boston at San Francisco ** | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Sept 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal A | Game 1 | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Sept 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal B | Game 1 | ESPN+ |
| Fri., Sept 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal A | Game 2 | ESPN+ |
| Sat.,Sept 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal B | Game 2 | ESPN+ |
| Sun., Sept 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal A | Game 3* | ESPN+ |
| Mon., Sept 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Semifinal B | Game 3* | ESPN+ |
| Wed., Sept 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Championship Game 1 | ESPN+ |
| Thu., Sept 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Championship Game 2 | ESPN+ |
| Sat., Sept 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Championship Game 3 | ESPN+ |
| Sun., Sept 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Championship Game 4* | ESPN+ |
| Tue., Sept 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Championship Game 5* | ESPN+ |
* If necessary.
** Also simulcast on Scripps Sports Network.