Women’s professional sports worldwide are on track to break the $3 billion revenue barrier for the first time in 2026, according to a new analysis released Wednesday by consulting firm Deloitte.
The projected milestone represents a 25% jump from the $2.4 billion in earnings recorded last year across women’s elite athletics, with basketball and soccer driving much of the financial success.
The dramatic growth trajectory shows women’s sports revenue climbing 248% between 2022 and 2025, with projections indicating that figure will reach 340% by 2026 compared to 2022 levels.
Television broadcasting rights will account for 25% of the total earnings, while ticket sales and stadium revenue will make up 30% of the income stream, according to the report.
“Surpassing the three-billion-dollar mark in 2026 would be a phenomenal achievement and would cement women’s sport firmly in the spotlight,” said Jennifer Haskel, knowledge and insights lead in the Deloitte Sports Business Group.
However, Haskel cautioned that sustained success will require careful analysis and adaptation. “It is important to recognise that it is still early days… the industry’s enduring success will be built on diligently collecting data, analysing its impact, and making corrections driven by these learnings.”
Soccer and basketball are expected to continue dominating the revenue landscape, with each sport generating approximately 35% of total earnings in 2026.
Geographically, North America will lead the market with $1.64 billion in revenue representing 54% of the global total, while Europe is projected to contribute $434 million or 14% of worldwide earnings, Deloitte’s analysis found.
