Investment Interest In U.K. Women’s Soccer Has Never Been Higher

As momentum around women’s sports continues to grow globally, U.K. soccer is proving to be a key market in which to invest new money.

Several Premier League clubs are seeking to stoke private equity investment in the Women’s Super League teams they are affiliated with, according to Bloomberg. 

The idea would be to allow outside investors to buy into WSL commercial operations, rather than have EPL clubs completely fund women’s teams. Previously, the FA had reportedly asked EPL clubs to invest more than $31 million in WSL operations.

Meanwhile, Mercury 13 — the new $100 million fund focused on building out a multi-club portfolio for women’s pro teams — remains on the hunt for its first investment after a deal to acquire Lewes FC’s women’s club fell through. The two sides announced the news on Monday. 

Mercury 13, led by entrepreneur Victoire Cogevina Reynal, said it remains committed to investing in women’s soccer, while Lewes plans to search for an alternate investor.

Tickets In Demand

Arsenal is closing in on a significant attendance mark for its women’s teams, with nearly 100,000 fans having already attended four home matches this season. Arsenal women play about half their matches at the same 60,000-seat Emirates Stadium that regularly houses the men’s squad. Arsenal had 54,115 attend its home opener at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea’s women’s team has averaged over 7,200 fans in five home matches, and Manchester United has drawn an average of 15,306 fans over four matches.