CBS Sports WSL Rights, MI London and SuperHalfs Partnership News
CBS Sports has secured exclusive English-language US rights to the Barclays Women’s Super League through the 2029-30 season. Starting in September 2026, every match will be available for streaming on Paramount+.
Expanding the Reach of Women’s Football
The agreement ensures 183 Barclays Women’s Super League matches will be shown live each season in the United States. This follows the league’s planned expansion, which is set to begin in the 2026-27 season.
In addition to streaming, one match per week will air on CBS Sports Network, with selected fixtures appearing on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. The coverage will be supported by studio programming including Attacking Third, Morning Footy, Golazo Matchday, and Scoreline, along with podcasts and digital content.
This deal, negotiated by IMG on behalf of WSL Football, comes as global interest in the women’s game continues to climb. High-profile clubs like Arsenal Women, Chelsea Women, and Manchester City Women have already seen a rise in overseas audiences.
Because the league is expanding the number of matches played across the campaign, US audiences may see a more comprehensive view of the competition. This increased visibility could further drive the commercial growth of the league internationally.
New Partnerships in The Hundred
In cricket news, tyre manufacturer BKT has become an official partner of MI London for the 2026 season of The Hundred. The company’s branding will be featured on the sleeves of both the men’s and women’s playing kits.
MI London enters this partnership as a dominant force in the competition. The men’s team won three consecutive editions from 2023 to 2025, while the women’s team claimed titles in 2021 and 2022.
Oli Slipper, Chair of MI London, stated that BKT is a committed supporter of sport worldwide and expressed pleasure regarding their backing for the upcoming summer at the Kia Oval.
The 2026 season will feature four home double-headers at the Kia Oval, starting July 21 against Sunrisers Leeds. Other home fixtures include matches against Trent Rockets, Manchester Super Giants, and London Spirit.
BKT’s involvement may signal a continued expansion of its sports sponsorship portfolio. The company already holds partnerships with the Indian Premier League, Women’s Premier League, Big Bash League, Six Nations, and Spain’s La Liga.
SuperHalfs and the Shift to Ballot Entries
The half marathon series SuperHalfs has extended its exclusive partnership with charity running provider realbuzz. This renewal occurs as the series moves to a ballot entry system for all six of its races due to high demand.
With more than 150,000 registered runners, charity places are now becoming the primary method for participants to secure entry. To date, realbuzz has helped raise more than £1.2m for various causes, with projections suggesting fundraising could exceed £2m.
Under the extended agreement, realbuzz will continue to manage official charity programmes and provide training support. Nick Hollowood, Chief Commercial Officer at realbuzz, noted that the growth reflects a global running boom and a shift in how runners access high-demand events.
As ballots become the norm, the reliance on charity pathways is likely to increase. This could lead to higher fundraising totals as more runners seek entry through these specific channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Barclays Women’s Super League matches begin streaming on Paramount+?
Matches are set to stream on Paramount+ starting in September 2026.
How many live matches of the Barclays Women’s Super League will be available in the US each season?
There will be 183 matches shown live each season following the league’s expansion.
What is the role of realbuzz in the SuperHalfs series?
realbuzz is the exclusive charity running provider that manages official charity programmes, connects runners with fundraising places, and provides training support.
Which of these sports expansions do you believe will have the biggest impact on global viewership?