WSL Lands Global Broadcast Deals

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Image Credit: Federico Guerra Moran / Shutterstock.com

The Women’s Super League (WSL) has taken another major step in its global expansion, confirming 13 new international media rights deals for the 2025/26 season.

Among them is Stan Sport, which will become the new Australian broadcast partner, replacing Optus Sport, who have held the rights since 2019.

Optus’ coverage of the WSL played a major role in giving Australian fans consistent access to watch Matildas stars abroad, coinciding with the national team’s rise in profile post-2023 Women’s World Cup.

With Stan Sport now adding the WSL to its growing football portfolio, which already includes the Premier League, UEFA competitions and the FA Cup, it further cements its position as the go-to platform for Australian football fans.

Other international agreements include Movistar in Spain, Rogers in Canada, Fox in Mexico and Central America, and BeIN Sports in Southeast Asia.

In Africa, Azam TV has picked up rights, while the MENA region will be served by Dubai TV. In China, the league has struck three separate deals with Migu, Hayu and iQiyi.

In markets without a local broadcaster, the WSL will stream every game free via its official YouTube channel, alongside upgraded WSL2 coverage.

This push reflects the league’s rapidly growing international appeal. Last season, the WSL reached a global audience of 72.1 million, with 76% of viewers based outside the UK.

Although domestic audiences dipped, international demand has surged, underlining the WSL’s status as one of the fastest-growing women’s football leagues worldwide.

In the UK, a new $133.5 million AUD broadcast deal with Sky Sports and the BBC kicks off this season, running until 2030. Sky will show up to 118 matches, while the BBC will air 21 games across TV and digital platforms.

Conclusion

The WSL’s global broadcast expansion highlights the competition’s growing maturity and international pull.

For Australian fans, Stan Sport’s acquisition ensures easy  access to the Matildas’ biggest names abroad, while further consolidating the platform’s football monopoly.

It’s a win both for women’s football as it pushes further into the mainstream and for Australian supporters who now have a single home for the world’s top football competitions.

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Western United ruled out of 2026–27 A-League season

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Image Credit: Western United FC

Western United’s participation in the A-Leagues has officially been terminated, ending the club’s immediate pathway back into Australia’s professional football competitions.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terminated Western United’s Club Participation Agreement on Monday, following months of discussions over the club’s future.

The decision comes after Western United’s attempt to secure a return to the A-League for the 2026–27 season was unsuccessful. Football Australia had previously determined that the club did not meet the requirements to retain its licence.

Western United has now turned its attention towards rebuilding the organisation under new ownership, with the club targeting a return to the A-League for the 2027–28 season.

In a statement, Western United said the termination creates an opportunity for “new custodians, new investment and a fresh start”, while emphasising the importance of maintaining the club’s identity in Melbourne’s west.

The club’s financial problems have been a major issue over the past two years with the club being placed into a conditional hibernation ahead of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The APL said its decision was made following the club’s breach of several obligations under the agreement, including compliance with Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations.

The club’s proposed 2027–28 comeback will therefore depend on securing new investment, addressing its outstanding operational requirements and demonstrating that it can meet the conditions necessary to re-enter the A-Leagues.

While Monday’s decision brings an end to Western United’s current participation agreement, the club maintains that it is not the end for Western United.

Now, the club that won the A-League grand final just four years ago, will now turn its attention to restructuring the business and building a sustainable platform for a potential return to Australia’s professional football landscape.

 

 

Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

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Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

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