Sports Illustrated just announced the launch of the SI Women’s Games, and it’s giving major ‘all eyes on her’ vibes. This new biennial all-star competition is bringing together elite female athletes from around the world to compete in six sports: basketball, gymnastics, tennis, flag football, volleyball, and combat sports. So yeah, if you thought women’s sports were already having a moment, SI just threw some gasoline on the fire—and guess whose name everyone’s whispering? Simone Biles.

Here’s what we know: the first edition of the Games is set for October 28 through November 2, 2025, in sunny Oceanside, California. Also, there’s serious prize money on the line, and athletes will compete for the ultimate bragging rights: the title of SI Women’s Games Champion. Two squads—Team Americas and Team World—will go head-to-head in both team and individual showdowns. Sounds epic, right?

Now, while SI hasn’t dropped any names yet, it’s pretty hard to imagine a gymnastics showdown without the GOAT herself being in the mix. Fun fact: Sports Illustrated just featured Simone on its cover, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they invited her. Who wouldn’t want to see Biles bring the heat in this all-star event?

And wait, ION (yep, one of the most-watched networks on TV) is stepping in as the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner, everywhere. So whether Simone Biles is competing or not, her influence is *all over* this launch. And if she does decide to flip back into the spotlight? Let’s just say—history might repeat itself in the best possible way. But, not long ago, women’s sports were underestimated until…

Simone Biles and women’s sports are finally taking center stage

Women’s sports, especially gymnastics, have come a long way—and it’s a powerful story of resilience. Not that long ago, women were excluded from major events. Take the Olympics, for example, the first modern Games in 1896 didn’t allow women at all. When they finally did open the door, it was for “graceful” sports like gymnastics, which were seen as less threatening than the rough-and-tumble events men competed in. Fast forward to today, and gymnastics, once a backdrop sport, is *the* main event. Simone Biles is a huge reason for that—she didn’t just raise the bar, she redefined it.

With her groundbreaking performances and world-record-breaking skills, she made the world pay attention. Women’s gymnastics and women’s sports have been evolving to a point where their talent can’t be ignored any longer. And it’s not just gymnastics. Women’s sports are finally getting the respect they’ve deserved for so long. What used to be an afterthought is now center stage. The numbers speak for themselves: in 2024, women’s sports raked in nearly $1.88 billion globally—and this is just the beginning.

Women’s basketball broke viewership records, with the NCAA women’s tournament outdrawing the men’s final for the first time ever. The WNBA locked down a historic $2.2 billion media deal, securing a broadcast future that’s *nowhere near* where it was even five years ago. Women athletes aren’t just fighting for visibility anymore—they’ve earned it. And as they continue to shatter expectations, it’s clear: this change is permanent. Women’s sports have gone from being underestimated to being a force that’s impossible to ignore.