The adrenaline dump is real. I spent June living in a state of pure basketball hype. I hosted watch parties, showed up early, and spent five hours camping out at my local bar just to snag a seat for Game 5 of the Knicks vs. Spurs series. Worth it? Absolutely.
Then came the World Cup. My entire social life pivoted to Spanish soccer. I was high-fiving neighbors in jerseys and turning conference meetings into impromptu viewing rooms. I even made it to a knockout match, seeing France take down Sweden thanks to a Michelob Ultra invitation. Kylian Mbappé was electric.
But the whistle has blown on both tournaments. The cheering has quieted down, and suddenly there’s a void. A significant amount of it, frankly, was men’s sports. And while the men’s games were spectacular, it feels like we need a shift. The women’s sports calendar didn’t pause while the men were playing. It’s just been waiting.
If you are desperate for the same community energy and high-stakes drama, you need to pivot. Here are the top leagues to follow right now.
The WNBA is Back and Better
The Women’s National Basketball Association started in early May, but we are just getting started. The race is tight. The Minnesota Lynx, Golden State Valkyrians, and Las Vegas Aces are currently sitting pretty at the top. But don’t sleep on the rest of the pack. October is when things get messy, and anything can happen.
If you haven’t seen a game live, go. Seriously. Attending New York Liberty games changed my perspective. The skill level is off the charts. The arena energy? Next level. It’s not just watching; it’s feeling it.
What to watch this week:
The WNBA All-Star Game hits on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time in Chicago. Expect stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart (she’s with the Aces now, by the way), and Nneka Ogwumike to light it up.
Where to stream it:
You need a few subs for this one. Games pop up on ESPN, Prime Video, Peacock, or Paramount+ depending on the day and matchup. If you want access to every single game without hopping through apps, the league’s annual pass runs $39.99.
NWSL: Higher Stakes, Higher Talent
The National Women’s Soccer League kicked off back in March. It runs through November. If you thought the U.S. Men’s team was good in the World Cup, the women’s game is a different beast. It’s more tactical, faster, and frankly, more fun to analyze.
Right now, the Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, recent high-attendance giants, and San Diego Wave are the ones to beat. You’re looking at World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists. Trinity Rodman, Rose LavelleEmily Sonnett—they are playing at an elite level.
Why you should care:
Look at the Queens Classic. Gotham just beat the Spirit 1-0 at Citi Field. It set a record: 42,000 people packed into that stadium. That is the highest attendance for a women’s sports event in NYC history. That’s not just a game; that’s a movement.
How to tune in:
It varies by day. Friday matches go to Prime Video. Saturdays air on ION, Paramount+, or ESPN. Sundays? You can actually stream them for free on Victory+. Don’t miss the Sunday games.
US Open: Tennis and Honey Deuces
Wimbledon just wrapped up, but the US Open is the real party. It runs from August 23 through September 13. Even if you barely know the rules of tennis, this tournament is accessible. It’s loud, it’s flashy, and it’s in New York.
We know who will be there. Aryna Sabalenka is the defending champion. Iga Swiatek will be there. Coco Gauff is playing at home. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alvaraz, and Ben Shelton will be battling.
The experience:
If you’re going, you drink the Honey Deuce. It’s the signature cocktail. Grey Goose vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and lemonade. They garnish it with three honeydew melon melon balls because, why not? It’s refreshing. It’s delicious. It’s a vibe.
How to watch:
ESPN has the coverage rights. You can catch the matches there.
F1 Academy: The Future of Speed
Formula 1 is massive. F1 Academy is its answer to getting more women involved in motorsport. The teams are big names: Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull. They have their own cars.
What’s fascinating about F1 Academy isn’t just the racing. It’s the age. The drivers are between 16 and 25 years old. These are kids growing up in front of you. They are learning, making mistakes, and improving in real time. Some of them will make it to F3, F2, or even F1 one day. You can say you knew them when they were racing single-seater Formula-4 cars.
Keep an eye on these names:
Lisa Billard. Emma Felbermayer. Ava Dobson. They’re fast.
Next stop:
Round 4 takes place in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. That’s August 21–23.
Where to watch:
You don’t need a subscription. You can stream F1 Academy live and for free on their YouTube channel.
Women’s Pro Baseball League: A Historic Return
This is the big one. A professional baseball league for women. The inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League starts August 1.
There are four teams: Boston Hunters, Los Angeles Queens, NY Heights, and San Francisco Fireballs. They all play out of Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, for a month-long showdown.
The context:
This matters. It’s been over 50 years since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League folded. We saw that story in A League of Their Own, but this is real. This is now.
How to watch:
Stream the games on YouTube. It’s straightforward.
There is always more. The FIFA Women’s World Cup is technically 338 days away (yes, I counted), so we have time to prepare for that too. But don’t let the summer go to waste. The best sports aren’t just happening; they are right here. You just have to turn on the TV.
