The Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) will play a full season in 2026, according to an announcement made Wednesday by the PLL.
Originally created in late 2024, the WLL has four franchises. Next summer, the four franchises will play 11 weekends of action in the regular 10v10 format, marking the first time they have played non-sixes since coming under the PLL umbrella. Those four teams competed in the Championship Series earlier this year, the PLL’s sixes event and some of the players competed in the WLL All-Star game as well.
WLL players were also a part of the league’s trip to Japan in the winter, helping to grow the women’s game overseas.
Like the PLL games, all WLL games will be distributed on ESPN networks and will stream on the new ESPN App.
In the press release, ESPN EVP of Programming and Acquisitions said, “We believe the WLL’s pace, storytelling and cultural resonance will inspire a broader audience, and we can’t wait to deliver every moment of competition across our platforms.”
The move follows a quiet summer of action for the world’s best women’s lacrosse players. Prior to the creation of the WLL, the best female players competed in Athletes Unlimited, a summer league based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Athletes Unlimited folded prior to this summer, leaving the players without a professional league.
PLL President and Co-Founder Paul Rabil said in the press release, “With the launch of our WLL Championship Series, we caught a glimpse of what the women’s professional game can be. Today, we’re excited to expand their professional platform to reflect the talent, ambition, and excellence of the players.”
The announcement from the league also clarified that the rosters for each franchise will be significantly expanded to 23 (they were previously just designed for sixes) and that the league would hold a college draft in the spring.
The news also follows the announcement that Maybelline would be the presenting sponsor of the WLL and the WLL Championship Series, which is one example of the significant partnership opportunities as women’s sports continue to grow in viewership and popularity. Just under 15,000 people packed inside Gillette Stadium this spring to watch the UNC Tar Heels complete their perfect season, with a total championship weekend attendance of 34,583.
More information and details about schedule and tickets can be found at www.thewll.com.