Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League Sets Full 2026 Season on ESPN

The Maybelline Women’s Lacrosse League (WLL) has announced a major leap for women’s lacrosse, expanding to a full regular season and playoffs starting in 2026. The 2026 WLL season will feature the league’s four original teams, the Boston Guard, New York Charging, Maryland Charm, and California Palms , competing in the 10 versus 10 format successfully piloted at the 2025 WLL All-Star Game.

Full Season and Playoff Structure Begins in 2026

The expanded 2026 schedule will roll out across 11 weekends of action, delivering a more robust and competitive league calendar than ever before. The format marks a move away from the Olympic Sixes format into a traditional 10v10 game, aligning with NCAA and international standards and offering fans more of the dynamic, athlete-centric play that drew national attention to the WLL’s debut.

All games will be distributed through ESPN networks and streamed on the ESPN App, reflecting ESPN’s commitment to raising the profile of women’s sports and expanding visibility for professional lacrosse at the highest level.

Leadership Perspective: Ambition and Momentum

“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,” said Paul Rabil, Co-Founder and President of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). “In Summer 2026, the WLL will return to the field for a full season on ESPN”.

“We are thrilled to bring the Women’s Lacrosse League’s first regular season to fans nationwide in 2026. As a proud partner, ESPN is deeply committed to elevating this dynamic, athlete-powered league,” said Rosalyn Durant, EVP of Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN. “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”.

Mike Rabil, Co-Founder and CEO of the PLL, added: “With the support of our partners at ESPN, Maybelline, and more, we’re proud to deliver the highest level of competition in women’s lacrosse, for the best players in the world and fans around the globe”.

The 2025 WLL Championship Series and All-Star Game Set the Stage

The WLL launched in November 2024 and made a powerful debut with the 2025 Maybelline Championship Series. The Boston Guard captured the inaugural title in the Olympic Sixes format, defeating the New York Charging in the most-streamed women’s professional lacrosse game ever on ESPN+.

The 2026 campaign will enhance rosters, with every team expanding to 23 players via an expansion draft and a college draft prior to season start, aimed at infusing top NCAA talent and deepening league parity.

Growing Participation and Olympic Momentum

The WLL’s rise comes at a pivotal moment in the sport’s global profile. Women’s lacrosse is experiencing a record surge in youth and NCAA participation and is set to make its Olympic debut at LA28 using the Sixes format. This momentum has fed directly into the WLL, whose launch and subsequent expansion were widely anticipated by fans, the lacrosse community, and media partners.

The league’s multi-year partnership with Maybelline as presenting sponsor and ESPN as broadcast partner positions it for premier athlete marketing, international visibility, and long-term stability.

Schedule and Tickets

Dates, matchups, and ticketing information for the 2026 regular season, playoffs, and updated Championship Series will be announced later this year. Fans and media are encouraged to follow www.thewll.com and the WLL’s Instagram for real-time updates, roster news, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.