Women's Health July 20, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Ultimate Summer Sports Surge: 5 Can’t-Miss Events That Will Blow Your Mind Right Now!

Is it just me, or did this summer feel like one big sports carnival where men seemed to hog all the glory—and the cheers? I mean, I was right there, staking out a bar for five hours just to catch the Knicks’ thrilling win over the Spurs, and then diving headfirst into World Cup fever, high-fiving strangers over a “Go Spain!” It’s been epic, but as the NBA and the World Cup wrapped up, I found myself wondering: what now? Am I doomed to suffer from a sports-sized void in my social life? Luckily, women’s sports are stepping up like the ultimate comeback, offering a season that’s far from over. So, if you’re craving action, passion, and game-day thrills that don’t quit, buckle up. Here’s where to catch the excitement live, loud, and unapologetically fierce.

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5 min read

The vibes have been extra high this summer, and that’s thanks in large part to the major sporting events keeping us busy and social. In early June, I had around-the-clock plans to watch the New York Knicks take on (and ultimately defeat!) the San Antonio Spurs. I hosted and attended watch parties, and even took part in a five-hour-long stakeout at my local bar just to get a seat to watch game 5. Totally worth it, by the way.

Then, I kept that momentum going with the World Cup. Suddenly, I was striking up conversations with neighbors I spotted wearing their country’s gear, offering an enthusiastic, “Go Spain!” as I made my way to my apartment. My co-workers and I gathered in a conference room to watch games as we typed away on our laptops. I was even one of the lucky ones who attended a match (thank you, Michelob Ultra) where I got to see Kylian Mbappé and team France defeat Sweden in a knockout round.

It’s been incredible—but, dare I say, a bit too much cheering for men. Just like the NBA season, the World Cup has come to a close, and I, like many others, am searching for something else to fill the sports-sized hole in my heart (and social plans). The good news: Women’s sports have been patiently waiting to fill that gap. That’s right. The summer of sports is not over—far from it. If you’re looking for more exciting games, here are leagues you can tune into right now.

1. The WNBA

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season is in full swing, having kicked off in early May. Right now, the Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, and Las Vegas Aces are sitting at the top of the rankings, but there are plenty of squads who can make a play for this year’s title in October.

If you’ve never been to a WNBA game in person, make a plan to go support your local teams. Attending New York Liberty games has shown me just how top-notch an in-person sporting event can be—the skilled players are incredible to watch, and the energy in the stadium creates a truly next-level fan experience.

Something to look forward to this week: The WNBA All-Star Game is this Saturday, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. Eastern in Chicago. The league’s best players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Nneka Ogwumike will be in attendance.

How to watch: Games typically take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You can watch them across a variety of streaming services like ESPN, Prime Video, Peacock, and Paramount+. And, if you want to access every game, you can subscribe to the league’s annual pass for $39.99.

2. The NWSL

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season started back in March and stretches through November, keeping us fed well into the fall. If you even slightly enjoyed watching the U.S. Men’s National Team in the World Cup this year, consider this your sign to tune in to the women’s matches. These players are way more talented, for starters.

Currently, the Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, and San Diego Wave are the teams to beat—and they feature World Cup- and Olympics-winning talent like Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett.

A recent highlight: In a rematch of last year’s championship, Gotham recently went head-to-head with the Spirit, winning 1-0. This event—dubbed the Queens Classic—took place at Citi Field, and made instant history as the highest-attended women’s sports event in New York City history with over 42,000 fans.

How to watch: Friday matches air on Prime Video, Saturday matches air on ION, Paramount+, and ESPN, and Sunday matchups stream for free on the Victory+ platform.

3. The US Open

Wimbledon recently wrapped up—which means that one of my favorite sporting events of the year is almost here: the US Open. The Open takes place from August 23 to September 13, and is truly one of the most fun tournaments to watch, even if you have limited knowledge of tennis (speaking from personal experience).

Participants will be announced in late August, but it’s safe to bet that stars like reigning champ Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff will be there on the women’s side. On the men’s, expect to see Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Ben Shelton.

If you really want to get in on the fun: Try a Honey Deuce, the tournament’s signature drink, if you’re of age. The Honey Deuce includes Grey Goose vodka, Chambord, and lemonade, and is garnished with three honeydew melon balls (to resemble tennis balls). It is delicious.

How to watch: The US Open will air on ESPN.

4. The F1 Academy

The F1 Academy was developed to get more women involved in the sport—and just like F1, races are year-round. All the big-name teams, including Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull, have cars.

What’s cool about tuning into this league is that you’ll be watching young women ages 16 to 25 compete—and develop—in the motorsport world. They race in single-seater Formula-4 cars, with hopes of moving up the ranks to F3, F2, and F1 leagues one day. You’ll be able to say you knew them when. (Some names to watch out for: Lisa Billard, Emma Felbermayer, and Ava Dobson.)

The next event: Round 4 of F1 Academy takes place in Zandvoort, Netherlands, from August 21 to 23.

How to watch: You can watch F1 Academy live for free on their YouTube channel.

5. Women’s Pro Baseball League

Major news! Women’s baseball is getting a pro league. This year is the inaugural year of the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL), and it kicks off on August 1.

The league has four teams—the Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, New York Heights, and San Francisco Fireballs—who will spend the month facing off at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois.

A quick history lesson: The formation of this WPBL marks the first time in over 50 years that women have had a professional baseball league since the conclusion of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League that you saw in A League of Their Own.

How to watch: You can stream games on YouTube.

And, while there are 338 days until the FIFA Women’s World Cup (yes, I’m counting), that’s always something to look forward to.

Olivia Luppino is an associate editor at Women’s Health. She spends most of her time interviewing expert sources about the latest fitness trends, nutrition tips, and practical advice for living a healthier life. Olivia previously wrote for New York Magazine’s The Cut, PS (formerly POPSUGAR), and Salon, where she also did on-camera interviews with celebrity guests. She recently ran the New York City Marathon.