Report: ‘Powerful Growth’ Drives Women’s Sports ’26 Global Revenue To Top $3B

By Barry Janoff

April 8, 2026: On April 4, the PWHL New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent set the record for attendance at a U.S. professional women’s hockey game, with 18,006 at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York.

A week earlier, on March 28, the NWSL Denver Summit FC’s inaugural home match, hosting the Washington Spirit in Empower Field at Mile High, broke the attendance record for a professional women’s sporting event in the U.S., with 63,004.

On Jan. 20, the 3-on-3 Unrivaled doubleheader in Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena drew 21,490 fans, the highest-attended regular-season professional women's basketball game.

On May 8, with a new CBA in place, the WNBA begins its 30th season with new franchises in Toronto (Tempo) and Portland (Fire), and expanded media and marketing deals.

These are milestone events, but only part of the overall growth of women’s professional sports.

More than a trend, women's sports are expected to continue to surge.

Global revenues are expected to reach at least $3 billion in 2026, an increase of 340% in four years, according to  "Game Changers: Unlocking the Potential of Women's Sports," a just-released report from financial, advisory and research firm Deloitte Consulting LLP.

"The narrative has shifted in a powerful way,” Lara Abrash, Chair, Deloitte U.S,, said via the firm. “Women's sports are thriving and defined by real, transformative growth and a rapidly expanding global fan base.

“With global revenue on track to top $3 billion this year, the conversation has moved beyond proving value to intentionally building a lasting, world-class foundation for the future. This momentum isn't simply accelerating remarkable growth and expansion; it's redefining the future of the sports industry for generations to come."

According to "Game Changers: Unlocking the Potential of Women's Sports," global women's sports revenues “are reaching new heights following substantial investments which are expanding operations, driving growth, and increasing professionalization for both existing leagues and new entities.”

The rise has been meteoric over the past five years. Global revenue — including match day, broadcast and commercial revenue — has jumped from $692 million in 2022, $981 million in 2023, $1.88 billion in 2024 and $2.42 billion in 2025.

According to the report, many more fans are investing their time and money in women's sports: Match-day revenue alone is expected to grow to $911 million, representing 30% of total revenue in 2026.

North America is forecast to remain the largest revenue-generating market (54%), but emerging regions are gaining ground and establishing new growth benchmarks.

Soccer and basketball are projected to generate the highest amount of global women's sports revenue in 2026, driven by varied investments — including the launch of new leagues and competitions — that are expected to fuel the future of women's sports.

The WNBA, Unrivaled and NWSL are in expansion mode, as is the PWHL.

The WTA, which this season signed a $500 million multi-year title-sponsorship pact with Mercedes-Benz, has seen 11 players already top $1 million in earnings in 2026 thru the end of March.

Next on the radar: the Women’s Professional Baseball League, a four-team league scheduled to play a regular season beginning Aug. 1, with playoffs and All-Star game. The four teams are New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

“Women's sports are thriving and defined by real, transformative growth and a rapidly expanding global fan base."

"Women's sports are entering a new phase — one defined by scale, structure, and sustained investment,”  Alicia Hatch, U.S. Sports CCO and Women's Sports Leader, Deloitte Consulting, said via the firm.

“Rising valuations and expanding revenue streams are consistent with a maturing market where leagues, sponsors, and media partners are building for long-term success.”

Deloitte not just talks the talk but walks the walk. Among its alliances, it has been a Changer Maker and  sponsor, advisor to the WNBA since 2020, is a globals partner with the IOC and has official alliances with U.S. Soccer and the USGA.

“Those who understand the distinct dynamics of women's sports have a unique opportunity to shape a more resilient, commercially robust ecosystem that can drive growth for years to come,” said Hatch.

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