Top 10 Most Popular Female Sports Leagues In The World 2025

Women’s sports have seen a remarkable surge in popularity, investment, and global recognition in recent years. From record-breaking viewership to expanding franchises, female sports leagues are redefining the sports landscape. Below is a detailed exploration of the top 10 most popular female sports leagues in the world for 2025, highlighting their significance, structure, and impact on the global stage

List Of Top 10 Most Popular Female Sports Leagues In The World 2025

1. WNBA- Women’s National Basketball Association

The WNBA stands as the pinnacle of women’s professional basketball, recognized as the most popular female sports league globally. Founded in 1996 as the women’s counterpart to the NBA, the league has grown to include 14 teams in 2025, with the addition of the Golden State Valkyries and a Toronto-based team. The WNBA’s 2024 season saw unprecedented viewership, with a 226% increase in viewership for its opening games compared to the previous year, driven by stars like Caitlin Clark and the New York Liberty’s championship win over the Las Vegas Aces. The league’s regular season runs from May to September, culminating in a playoff series. With a robust media presence on ESPN, Amazon Prime, and its own League Pass, the WNBA continues to set benchmarks for women’s sports, boasting an 11-year media rights deal in 2024 and significant fan engagement. Its influence extends beyond the court, fostering gender equality and inspiring a new generation of athletes.

2. Women’s Liga MX

Launched in 2016, Liga MX Femenil is Mexico’s premier women’s soccer league, featuring 18 teams aligned with men’s Liga MX clubs. The league operates in two tournaments, Apertura (August–December) and Clausura (January–May), with the champions competing for the Campeón de Campeonas title. Tigres UANL has dominated, securing six titles. The league has made significant strides in competitiveness and fanbase growth, particularly through events like the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, where top Mexican clubs competed against U.S. teams. Liga MX Femenil’s investment in infrastructure and talent development has elevated its status, making it a powerhouse in Latin American women’s soccer with a growing international following.

3. NWLS – National Women’s Soccer League

The NWSL, established in 2012, is the top professional women’s soccer league in the United States, comprising 14 teams in 2025, with plans to expand to 16 by 2026, including a new franchise in Denver. Known for its competitive format, the league 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. Stars like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Trinity Rodman have elevated its profile, with the 2023 season drawing record crowds, including a single-game attendance of 40,091 in 2025. A $240 million, four-year media rights deal in 2023 underscores its growing popularity, amplified by broadcasting on ESPN and streaming platforms. The NWSL’s progressive 2024 collective bargaining agreement, eliminating drafts and increasing player salaries to $48,500 in 2025, sets a new standard for athlete empowerment.

4. Liga F- Women

Liga F, officially the Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenino, is Spain’s top women’s soccer league, founded in 1988 and fully professional since 2020. Featuring 12 teams, including powerhouses like FC Barcelona, which has won the title eight times, Liga F is one of Europe’s elite leagues, ranked among the top six by UEFA. The league showcases international stars like Alexia Putellas and has garnered a dedicated fanbase through high-quality play and media attention. Its competitive structure and affiliation with Spain’s rich soccer culture have made it a global leader in women’s football, with FC Barcelona’s 2023 UEFA Champions League win further boosting its prestige.

5. Betfred Women’s Super League

The Betfred Women’s Super League is England’s premier professional women’s rugby league. It started in 2017 and has eight clubs. The season runs from March to October and includes a playoff series to pick the champion. The league is getting more popular because of its fierce play and rising fan base. Teams like St. Helens and Wigan Warriors show off top-tier skill. The WSL is better off because rugby league is more popular in England as a whole. More media coverage and sponsorships make it more visible. It is one of the best women’s sports leagues in the world since it promotes women’s rugby and the success of England’s Red Roses on the world stage.

6. Australian Football League – Women

The AFLW, launched in 2017, is Australia’s premier women’s Australian rules football league, featuring 18 teams in 2025. Known for its fast-paced, physical gameplay, the AFLW has rapidly gained popularity, with record attendance and viewership driven by stars like Erin Phillips and Tayla Harris. The league’s season runs from August to November, aligning with Australia’s spring, and includes a finals series. The AFLW’s commitment to gender equality, including equal pay discussions and community engagement, has made it a model for other leagues. Its growing media presence and grassroots support ensure its place as a leading women’s sports league.

7. Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby

The Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby is the most important women’s rugby union league in England and throughout the world. The league runs from September to May and comprises eight clubs, including the Saracens and Exeter Chiefs. It is famed for producing world-class players, including the Red Roses, England’s national team, which has won several World Cups. The league’s professional structure and the fact that more corporations, including Allianz, are sponsoring it have made it more well-known. The Premiership Women’s Rugby continues to drive the global expansion of women’s rugby union as more and more people watch and participate in it.

8. Barclay’s Women’s Super League

The Barclays Women’s Super League is England’s highest women’s soccer league. It started in 2010 and has 12 teams as of 2025. The WSL is famous for bringing in big names from around the world, such Sam Kerr and Lauren James. Chelsea has won the title seven times, making it one of the most successful clubs in the league. The league is one of the best in the world for women’s soccer since it has a lot of competition and a strong football culture. Record attendance in the 2023 Women’s European Championship made it even more popular, and Sky Sports and BBC broadcasts helped fans get involved. The WSL’s focus on building infrastructure and developing young players will help it keep growing.

9. Telstra NRL Women’s Premiership

The NRLW is Australia’s highest semi-professional women’s rugby league. It started in 2018 and has 10 teams from Australia and New Zealand. The NRLW has grown quickly, with an average of 200,000 people watching each game in 2022 and over 700,000 people watching the 2023 Women’s State of Origin. The season lasts from July to October and includes a finals series. Stars like Millie Boyle and Tamika Upton have made it more popular, and more media coverage on networks like Nine and Fox Sports has helped it reach more people. The NRLW is on this list because it is dedicated to growing women’s rugby league around the world.

10. Women’s British Basketball League

There are 11 teams from England and Scotland in the WBBL, which is the UK’s best women’s basketball league. The league has been around since 2014 and has expanded steadily, giving athletes like Temi Fagbenle a chance to compete. The WBBL runs from October to April and has a regular season and playoffs. The London Lions are one of the clubs that leads the way. The WBBL is a smaller league than the WNBA, but its rising fan base and media exposure, thanks to collaborations with British Basketball, make it an important element of women’s sports around the world. It is becoming more and more important because it focuses on fostering local talent.