Women’s National Football Conference Announces Multi-Year Agreement with ESPN to Air IX Cup Championship Game on ESPN2
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Collaboration underscores the rising visibility, audience demand and long-term growth potential of professional women’s tackle football
The Women’s National Football Conference today announced a new multi-year extension with ESPN to nationally televise the WNFC IX Cup Championship Game on ESPN2, marking a major step forward for professional women’s tackle football and the league’s continued growth on a national stage.
The 2026 WNFC IX Cup Championship Game will air live on ESPN2 on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the world headquarters and training facility of the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET.
The agreement extends the WNFC’s relationship with ESPN following the league’s 2025 ESPN2 debut, which finished as the No. 1 watched program on ESPN2 that day. The new multi-year agreement provides the league with a continued national television platform for its championship game and reflects the growing audience demand, commercial momentum, and long-term potential surrounding women’s football.
“We are in one of the most important moments in the history of women’s football, and this agreement with ESPN is about more than one game, it is a signal that professional women’s tackle football belongs on major national sports platforms, and that our athletes, teams, fans, investors, owners, and partners are building something with real staying power.” said Odessa “OJ” Jenkins, Founder and CEO of the WNFC.
“ ESPN’s continued relationship with the WNFC helps validate the sport today while creating a stronger foundation where girls and women can see football as a real professional pathway.”
“ESPN is committed to showcasing the best athletes and stories across every level of the game, and the continued growth of the WNFC reflects the increasing momentum and audience interest surrounding women’s football,” said Susie Piotrkowski, ESPN Vice President, Women’s Sports Programming & espnW. “We are excited to continue our relationship with the WNFC and bring the IX Cup Championship Game to fans nationwide as the league continues to elevate the visibility of professional women’s tackle football.”
The IX Cup Championship Game has quickly evolved into the league’s signature event, combining elite competition with entertainment, culture, and fan experiences. Last year’s championship delivered a 21–19 matchup between the Texas Elite Spartans and Washington Prodigy, alongside a halftime performance by Bow Wow and hosting by Justina Valentine.
This year’s championship weekend will continue to build on that sports and entertainment platform, with rising music artist and Roc Nation signee SBR Peezyy set to headline the IX Cup halftime show sponsored by DRNX.
The agreement comes as the WNFC continues to build momentum across every part of its business, from streaming and live events to brand partnerships, athlete visibility, and fan engagement. Now in its second season of a multi-year streaming partnership with Victory+, which carries WNFC regular season and playoff games live, the league has seen a 45% increase in live viewership in 2026, along with record highs in ticket sales and merchandise purchases, underscoring the growing demand for women’s professional football.
The WNFC currently features 16 teams and nearly 900 athletes representing more than 45 countries, making it the largest and most visible platform for professional women’s tackle football in the world. The league has also continued to deepen relationships with major partners including adidas, Dove, Riddell, DRNX, and FITJEANS, while expanding athlete storytelling, youth engagement, and national visibility for the sport.
Tickets and additional information for WNFC Championship Weekend can be found at: wnfcfootball.com/2026-ix-cup-weekend
Press Contacts
For WNFC
Andrew Valdes, Metro Public Relations
For ESPN
Lily Blum, ESPN Communications
Email: Lily.Blum@espn.com
