Already one of the fastest-growing domestic and international sports, particularly after the 2023 Women’s World Cup, women’s soccer continues to see historic levels of business expansion reflecting surging fan interest.
Manchester City Women has become the first Women’s Super League club to complete a facility naming rights agreement, signing a pact with baby gear brand Joie to rename the 7,000-capacity Academy Stadium, the WSL’s only purpose-built venue.
In the U.S., Angel City FC — already one of the NWSL’s most prominent franchises with its star-studded ownership group of sports and entertainment icons — is reportedly raising additional capital to fund further growth opportunities.
In just its second season of play, the club is already among the leaders in NWSL attendance, which has risen to historic levels. Angel City’s initiative follows the recent record-setting sale of the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars.
The latest efforts mirror a wave of growth seen in women’s basketball, tennis, and ice hockey.
TV Tune-In
Fueled significantly by the successful WWC, the Women’s Sport Trust also found that women’s soccer has become the fourth-most popular sport on TV in the U.K., trailing only men’s soccer, tennis, and cricket.
“The visibility of women’s sport continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, due in main part to the unbelievable progress of our female athletes on the global stage,” said Tammy Parlour, Women’s Sport Trust CEO.
Also in the U.K, that country’s government also just revealed plans to invest further in women’s sports through a newly created investment accelerator.
