In recent years, the women’s professional soccer scene across North America has undergone a significant transformation. What was once a landscape dominated by a single top-tier league is now becoming more diverse, competitive, and regionally inclusive. With both established institutions and emerging leagues taking root, women’s soccer is entering a dynamic new phase that could reshape the sport’s development across the continent.

NWSL: The Established Powerhouse

Founded in 2013, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has emerged as the cornerstone of women’s professional soccer in the United States. It rose from the ashes of two previous failed attempts at professional leagues and has steadily grown in strength, visibility, and financial backing. The league began with eight teams and will expand to 16 by next season with the addition of Denver and Boston. Notably, the league's early success was supported by the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican soccer federations, which subsidized salaries for national team players.

Valuations for NWSL franchises have soared, exemplified by Angel City FC’s $250 million valuation. Major corporate sponsors such as Nike, Ally Bank, Elf Cosmetics, and AT&T have aligned themselves with the league, contributing to its financial momentum and commercial appeal.

Liga MX Femenil: Mexico’s Growing Giant

South of the border, Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil is in its eighth season and continues to gain prominence. Launched in 2017, the league mirrors its male counterpart with 18 clubs and a split-season format, featuring the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The league has become a destination for international stars, including Spain’s Jenni Hermoso and France’s Amandine Henry, while attracting major sponsors like Nike and Amazon.

Though Liga MX Femenil operates professionally, Mexico’s second-tier women's league, Liga TDP Femenil, remains amateur, leaving room for future development in the country’s soccer pyramid.

USL Super League: A New Contender Emerges

The USL Super League is in the midst of its inaugural season and positions itself as a top-tier league alongside the NWSL. While it does not yet share the same stature, largely due to its newness and smaller-market teams, it represents a promising expansion of the women's soccer ecosystem in the U.S. The league currently hosts eight teams, with a ninth set to join next season. Corporate investment is already flowing in, with Gainbridge signing on as the title sponsor for the upcoming campaign.

Northern Super League: Canada’s First Professional League

April 2025 marked a historic moment for Canadian soccer with the launch of the Northern Super League, the country’s first fully professional women’s league. Featuring six teams—Halifax Tides, Montreal Roses, AFC Toronto, Calgary Wild, Ottawa Rapid, and Vancouver Rise—the league got off to a dramatic start when Canadian international Quinn scored its first-ever goal in front of a crowd exceeding 14,000 fans in Vancouver. Major sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Toyota, and DoorDash are backing the league, signaling confidence in its long-term viability.

WPSL Pro: A Second-Division U.S. Alternative

Set to debut next year, WPSL Pro will function as a second-tier professional league in the United States, aimed at player development. The Cleveland Soccer Group, which initially sought an NWSL expansion team, pivoted to help launch this league and will field one of its founding teams. Other clubs will be based in Atlanta, Dallas, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Sioux Falls, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The league seeks to create more pathways for players and expand the professional game beyond the highest levels.

NWSL Division II: A Development-Focused Affiliate League

The NWSL is also exploring the creation of its own second-division league, pending approval from U.S. Soccer. If sanctioned, the league could launch as early as next year, featuring at least six teams affiliated with existing NWSL clubs. These teams would share infrastructure and ownership with their top-tier counterparts and serve as a developmental bridge for players not yet ready for the main league. U.S. Soccer mandates a number of operational standards for Division II status, including stadium capacity and financial backing.

A New Era for Women’s Soccer

With multiple leagues now operating—or soon to launch—across North America, the landscape for women’s soccer is richer and more complex than ever before. From the proven success of the NWSL and Liga MX Femenil to the fresh promise of the Northern Super League and USL Super League, opportunities for players, coaches, and fans continue to multiply. As investment and interest grow, the next chapter of women’s professional soccer in North America is poised to be one of rapid development and broader inclusivity.