Indy joins the latest women's pro sports evolution
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
While the battle for women's sports supremacy wages on, a growing list of professional leagues are rapidly adding teams across the country.
The big picture: Dozens of women's pro teams have played inaugural seasons over the past two years as new leagues for soccer, hockey, rugby and lacrosse launch.
- There is also momentum for growing the Athletes Unlimited Softball League and the upcoming Women's Pro Baseball League, which is having tryouts this month to launch six teams next year predominantly in the Northeast.
- The largest women's leagues in North America, the WNBA and NWSL, are also expanding.
Driving the news: On Tuesday, the Pro Volleyball Federation announced a league restructuring and rebranding to become Major League Volleyball (MLV) moving forward.
- It will start with eight teams and expand with teams in Washington, D.C. and northern California in 2027.
Zoom in: The Indy Ignite made their PVF debut in 2025 and came one victory shy of winning the championship in their inaugural season.
- Fishers Event Center, home of the Ignite, also hosted the 2025 PVF All-Star Match.
The bottom line: If the fans keep showing up, women's sports will keep growing.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show that the Women's Pro Baseball League teams will launch predominantly in the Northeast (not the Northwest).