In 2025, there's no lack of women's basketball to watch. But if you're looking for something more unique, Athletes Unlimited is the league to watch.
Athletes Unlimited, which supports a variety of women's pro sports including volleyball and softball, has been around for years but has been a star as of late as women's basketball reaches new heights. A handful of top WNBA players, including Sydney Colson, Isabelle Harrison and Kia Nurse, lead the way for the league.
One reason many flock to AU is its unique scoring system, which tracks players individually rather than as teams. The unique system allows players to improve each week as they go up against a new combination of athletes every game.
WATCH: Athletes Unlimited Basketball games live on ESPN+
It's certainly no standard way to watch basketball, but that's AU. And there's no better way to learn than tuning in.
Here's how to do so for every game of the 2025 season.
Athletes Unlimited Basketball will not be broadcast but is available to live stream across a variety of platforms.
Many games will be available to watch on ESPN+.
You can get an ESPN+ subscription for $11.99 per month or purchase an annual plan for $119.99 per year, a $24 savings. Stream your favorite teams live and enjoy more sports anywhere with an ESPN+ subscription.
Others will be streamed on FanDuel Sports Network and the WNBA App. You can watch those live on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $59.99, a $25 savings. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Athletes Unlimited doesn't follow the standard rules of basketball. Here's how the format works for the AU basketball season.
Rather than set rosters competing week in and week out, teams are redrafted at the beginning of each week, meaning teams are comprised of different players each week. Four different captains draft their team each week, and those captains are responsible for their squad, from lineups, plays, practice plans and everything in between.
Captains are selected in the following ways:
Instead of competing for team wins, the scoring leaderboard is determined by individual points. Athletes earn points in three ways:
At the end of the season, the athlete who leads the leaderboard is crowned the champion.
Win points are determined by team performance as a whole. They accumulate during individual quarters (+60 points) and overall game wins (+180 points). Tied quarters mean points roll over.
Game MVPs are decided by players and fan votes based on standout performances. Points will be added to an athlete's individual total score. MVP 1 earns +90 points, MVP 2 earns +60 points and MVP 3 earns +30 points.
The final way to earn points is for individual statistics.
However, players can also lose points for negative plays.
If the game is tied at the end of regulation, they will continue with a five-minute overtime. If the game is once again tied at the buzzer, the teams will play to seven points. The first to seven is awarded the team win.
No athlete earns individual points in OT. The only additional win points to be earned are those that rolled over from regulation.