The Brutal Pressure of Playing The 2026 World Cup On Home Soil

USMNT Red Card Was Overturned

Abby has officially lost her voice but luckily, Glennon Doyle is here to sub in, translate, and somehow survive being pulled off the bench at Taylor and Travis’s wedding. Julie, Abby, and Glennon kick things off with a hilarious recap of Abby’s weekend of screaming, soccer, wedding small talk, and one very stressful pocket watch. Then, the crew dives into the World Cup red card controversy that has everyone talking unpacking what happens when politics, power, FIFA, and fairness collide on the biggest stage in sports. Plus, they celebrate record-breaking rower Kelsey Fiedler, react to the 2026 WNBA All-Star starters, check in on Billie Jean King at Wimbledon, and break down the latest tennis headlines from Venus, Serena, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, and more. And because this is Welcome to the Party, the episode wraps with a psychic cat, a Balogun chant, and one very important reminder: when women in sports win, we all have a reason to party. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com] Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store] Keep the Party Going: Follow Kelsey Pfendler: https://www.instagram.com/kelseypfendler/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/kelseypfendler/?hl=en] Listen to Glennon on We Can do Hard Things: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722] WNBA All-Stars: https://www.wnba.com/news/all-star-starters-2026 [https://www.wnba.com/news/all-star-starters-2026] Billy the Cat Predictions: https://www.instagram.com/billy_heartnose/ [https://www.instagram.com/billy_heartnose/] Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

E.R. Fightmaster & Katie Kershaw Take Over Welcome To The Party

This week, Welcome to the Party gets a full Pride Month takeover as Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy are joined by Jockular’s E.R. Fightmaster and Katie Kershaw for a hilarious, heartfelt crossover episode about queering up the World Cup, the undeniable LGBTQ+ roots of women’s sports, and why the gayest team always wins. From rewriting FIFA rules with short shorts, “Are We Sure, Babe?” VAR reviews, and Brandi Carlile opening ceremonies, to honoring the queer athletes and fans who helped build women’s sports culture from the margins, this episode is equal parts chaos, comedy, and celebration. Plus, the group debates the gayest USWNT era, the 1999 sports-bra moment, WNBA Pride energy, Abby’s LA Sparks doppelgänger, Jockular’s Queer Madness bracket, and Julie’s official induction as “the gayest non-gay person” they know. It’s Pride, it’s soccer, it’s women’s sports, and yes, it’s absolutely for the gays.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com] Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store]    Keep the Party Going: Follow Jocular Here:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jockular/id1732760459 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jockular/id1732760459] See Jocular’s Queer Madness Bracket: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWwKcilEjTo/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWwKcilEjTo/?hl=en]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Serena & Venus Are Back at Wimbledon?! Billie Jean King Spills the Tea

Wimbledon is here, and the Party People are going across the pond for a very proper tea party with Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss. Abby and Julie kick things off with World Cup fever, breaking down the USMNT’s knockout-round path, Cape Verde’s historic run, Gotham FC’s Challenge Cup win, and the latest NWSL shakeups. Then it’s all things Wimbledon: Billie’s 65th straight trip to the tournament, the traditions that make it unlike any other Grand Slam, Ilana’s own Wimbledon history, and the stories only these two legends can tell. Plus, Serena and Venus Williams are back, and Billie and Ilana weigh in on what it really takes to return to the sport’s biggest stage in your 40s.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com] Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store]    Keep the Party Going: Learn more about Easter Seals: https://www.easterseals.com/ [https://www.easterseals.com/] Wimbledon Schedule: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule [https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/schedule] Foudy’s Football Store: https://foudys.com [https://foudys.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnIvs_4KplulilwyhtvFfEzz66VVg8ruoy5uAr2uVGCVoq6qt43FBlxDHzYQs_aem_kZH-7kjEVCoasLvL83imHg] and on social https://www.instagram.com/wearefoudys/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearefoudys/] USA Special Olympics: https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/ [https://2026specialolympicsusagames.org/]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Julie Foudy & Abby Wambach Answer Your Crazy Sports Questions

In this Party People Q&A episode, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King hand the mic over to the listeners and tackle the questions everyone actually wants answered. From the very real challenge of returning to sports in midlife, when your brain remembers one body and your knees remember another, to the eternal mystery of soccer’s offside rule, the trio brings their signature mix of wisdom, honesty, and chaos. Billie shares why strength, patience, and listening to your body matter more than trying to jump back in at full speed, Abby talks about learning new sports and taking ownership of your own growth, and Julie makes a passionate case for why offside keeps soccer beautiful, strategic, and just confusing enough to keep parents yelling from the sidelines. They also get into youth coaching, how kids can build confidence and skill outside of formal training, what makes a women’s sports league worth investing in, and the story behind the Welcome to the Party theme song. Plus: Billie’s iconic red glasses, Julie’s fancy hats, and a reminder that this party belongs to the Party People.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store  [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store%C2%A0] SUBSTACK - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack] Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Why 90% of New College Sports Revenue is Planned for Male Athletes

On the 54th anniversary of Title IX, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King look ahead at the future of women’s sports in a rapidly changing college athletics landscape. Joined by Women’s Sports Foundation President Swin Cash and CEO Danette Leighton, the hosts break down NIL, revenue sharing, the NCAA settlement, collectives, and the growing concern that women’s sports and Olympic programs could be left behind as new money floods the system. Together, they unpack why Title IX still matters as much today as it did in 1972, what’s at stake for girls and women at every level of sport, and how intentional investment, transparency, and advocacy can protect the next generation of athletes and leaders.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com] Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store]    Keep the Party Going: * Women’s Sports Foundation: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/ [https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/] * Play to Lead Study: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/play-to-lead/?_gl=1*1eia117*_gcl_au*MjEwNDczOTczMy4xNzgyMTYzMTIw [https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/play-to-lead/?_gl=1*1eia117*_gcl_au*MjEwNDczOTczMy4xNzgyMTYzMTIw] * Title IX Resources Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination?utm_source=chatgpt.com]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Learn more at Levi.com [https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/] -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes] -Goodles is available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers -Learn more about All Free Clear at https://www.all-laundry.com/ [https://www.all-laundry.com/] -Use code "podcast" to get a year of Shipt [https://www.shipt.com/] for only $49 -Use code Welcome to the Party at https://www.omahasteaks.com/ [https://www.omahasteaks.com/] -Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnZ5SWM2UXEwdmZQT18wb3ZpcktPeFdWTV9yZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsMWZadHdzekh1YXdnaVBRXzVvSHBOX0EyNEQzdVZDaVNoM1FYMUVwRkkyamVKYWVSQXJXM0JjT1Fjak1xUlVyb09vRi0zcnB0NjBURC02ejdENGMxM0IwTG1VNC10cFM0bTJqamlpWVVHb0JmNkk1RQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quince.com%2FWelcometotheparty&v=6W7dYY7mWmg] for free shipping and 365-day returns.