DAZN already provides coverage across a swathe of markets of the men’s Saudi Pro League. (DAZN imagery)

DAZN, the sports streaming heavyweights, have today (October 13) unveiled a major deal to cover Saudi Arabian soccer’s top-tier Women’s Premier League (WPL).

The tie-up marks the first international broadcast rights deal struck by the eight-team WPL (run by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation).

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Coverage will be global except the Middle East and North Africa and adds to DAZN’s similar coverage tie-up for the men’s Saudi Pro League, which stretches across multiple European markets as well as Canada.

DAZN is committing to covering two matches a week from the women’s league across the 14 matchdays, with the potential for additional games on top of that.

This news comes in the same week as the SWPL unveiled Lay’s, the chip brand owned by US snacks and beverage giant PepsiCo, as its title sponsor in a three-year deal.

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The SWPL this year begins today, with a total of 56 matches scheduled. While it has not received the same focus from the country’s soccer authorities in recent times as the men’s Pro League, which has been receiving significant government investment and therefore attracting major players and stars, a small number of foreign players are still beginning to be signed up.

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This is in line with the overall policy to make Saudi one of the hubs of top-tier global soccer – according to the authorities covering both the men's and women's games – which has also seen the kingdom bid to host the 2026 Asian Women’s Cup national teams competition (as well as the men's 2034 FIFA World Cup).

This policy in terms of women's soccer comes despite the kingdom's women's rights record being considered by many campaigning observers as poor.

Hannah Brown, co-chief executive for women's sport at DAZN, said: “DAZN has an unparalleled commitment to the growth and development of women’s soccer. The addition of the Saudi Women’s Premier League allows us to further elevate the game, and support women and girls who play and watch soccer.

"We have been following closely the progress of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia since they launched their first national league in 2020, and we are thrilled to support the league in the next phase of its development.”

The rights add to DAZN's burgeoning portfolio of women's soccer rights, which includes the pan-European UEFA Champions League competition, England’s top-tier Women’s Super League, Spain’s LigaF, Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga, and North America’s NWSL.