Saudi Arabia will broadcast its Women’s Premier League to a global audience for the first time as part of a new partnership with the All Women’s Sports Network (AWSN).
The SSC AWSN channel, set to launch Friday, will air around the clock on the MBC Shahid streaming service. It will feature weekly live matches from the Women’s Premier League as well as coverage of international women’s competitions.
The initiative reflects the growing role of female athletes in Saudi Arabia, a country that only began allowing women into stadiums in 2018. Girls were previously barred from sports at public schools until 2017, but policy changes under Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud have since expanded opportunities.
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“This progress has been remarkable, with more than 20 nationalities represented in last season’s league,” Princess Reema said. “Now their fans abroad will watch them live.”
AWSN, launched in 2023 with Whoopi Goldberg as co-founder, has branded itself as the first global network focused solely on women’s sports. Its partnership with Saudi authorities aims not only to raise the visibility of female athletes but also to attract global audiences.
Amill Lone, CEO of the Saudi Sports Company, said the channel fits the Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the kingdom’s economy and build new industries beyond oil.
