Women's Football

Women's football is growing fast - on the pitch, in the stands, and on screens around the world. This guide covers key topics shaping the modern game:

• Where to watch women's football
• Top women's football leagues
• Best female footballers
• Major Women's Football Awards
• Female representation in refereeing, commentary, and management
• Growth of women's football

Women's Football On TV

Women's football on TV has seen a major surge, with global coverage of both international tournaments and domestic leagues. Fans can now stream top matches live and free on platforms like Eurovision Sport.

Where To Watch Women's Football

• AFC Women's Champions League matches and highlights
• European domestic league coverage and recap shows
• Full access to UEFA Women's EURO 2025 games

Whether you're following your national team or club sides across Europe, women's football live on TV is now easier to access than ever.

Women's Football Leagues

Each country has its own Women's football league system, with top-flight competitions feeding into continental tournaments like the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Country	League Name	Top Clubs	Season Runs
England	Women's Super League (WSL)	Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City	Sept - May
Spain	Liga F (Primera División)	Barcelona, Real Madrid	Sept - May
France	Division 1 Féminine	Lyon, PSG	Sept - May
Germany	Frauen-Bundesliga	Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich	Aug - May
Italy	Serie A Femminile	Roma, Juventus	Sept - May
USA	National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)	Portland Thorns, San Diego Wave	Mar - Nov
Brazil	Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino Série A1	Corinthians, Ferroviária	Mar - Sept
Australia	A-League Women	Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC	Oct - Apr
Japan	WE League (Women Empowerment League)	INAC Kobe, Urawa Reds	Oct - June
China	Chinese Women's Super League	Wuhan Jiangda, Shanghai Shengli	Apr - Sept

Gender Equality in Football

While Women's football has gained momentum globally, gender equality in the sport remains a work in progress. From pay gaps to unequal access and visibility, players and federations continue to push for meaningful change.

Key facts:

• Prize money and player salaries in Women's football remain significantly lower than in the men's game.
• In 2022, the U.S. Women's National Team won a $24 million equal pay settlement against U.S. Soccer.
• FIFA has pledged to equalise prize money between the men's and Women's World Cups by 2027.
• National teams in Norway, New Zealand, and Brazil have implemented equal pay agreements for their male and female squads.
• Women currently hold fewer than 10% of coaching and executive roles in top-tier football leagues.
• Media coverage of Women's football still lags behind men's, limiting visibility and sponsorship opportunities.

These milestones highlight progress, but also the work still needed to level the playing field.

When Were Women Allowed To Play Football

For much of the 20th century, Women's football was banned or heavily restricted in many countries, often dismissed as unsuitable or unofficial by governing bodies. These bans delayed the growth of the sport worldwide, but their removal in the 1970s marked a turning point for the professionalisation of the Women's game.

Key Facts:

• England: FA ban from 1921-1971
• Germany: DFB lifted its ban in 1970
• Brazil: Women's football banned by federal law until 1979
• France: Officially recognised by the FFF in 1970
• UEFA launched its first Women's competition in 1982

The lifting of these bans led to the rise of Women's football leagues, national teams, and international tournaments across the globe.

Most Watched Women's Football Game

The Women's EURO 2022 Final between England and Germany was the most watched Women's football match in history:

• Attendance: 87,192 at Wembley Stadium
• Viewership: 365 million+ globally

This record has helped reshape media investment, broadcast rights, and public perception of Women's football.

Best Female Footballer

The title of best female footballer changes yearly, driven by form, trophies, and international impact. Recent seasons have highlighted several standout stars.

• Alexia Putellas - Two-time Ballon d'Or winner, FC Barcelona and Spain
• Sam Kerr - Forward for Chelsea and Australia, WSL top scorer
• Alex Morgan - Veteran leader and World Cup winner with Team USA
• Aitana Bonmatí - UEFA Player of the Year and 2023 World Cup champion
• Mary Earps - Won Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in 2022 and played a key role in the Lionesses' EURO 2022 victory

These players combine club dominance, international success, and global fanbases defining the modern Women's game.

Highest Paid Women's Footballer

The salaries and endorsements in Women's football have grown rapidly in recent years, with top players now earning millions both on and off the pitch. While still trailing men's figures, these stars are setting new benchmarks for pay in the Women's game.

Top Earners In Women's Football:

• Alex Morgan - USA striker with major endorsements (Nike, Coca-Cola)
• Sam Kerr - Australia and Chelsea forward; highest-paid in the WSL
• Alexia Putellas - FC Barcelona star; two-time Ballon d'Or winner
• Marta - Brazil legend with long-standing commercial deals
• Trinity Rodman - NWSL's highest-paid player at just 22

Many of these players' earnings include salaries, bonuses, sponsorships, and media deals.

How Much Do Women Footballers Get Paid

Salaries in Women's football vary widely depending on the country, league, and club. While top players now earn six- or seven-figure sums, many professionals still earn modest wages - especially in lower-tier leagues.

Key salary ranges:

• WSL average salary: £25,000-£50,000 per year (top players earn more)
• NWSL average: $60,000-$120,000, with top players earning up to $700,000
• Minimum salaries in some leagues: as low as £10,000-£15,000
• Endorsements & image rights can significantly boost earnings
• Pay gaps remain between Women's and men's football, though progress is ongoing

Investment in domestic leagues, equal pay movements, and rising media coverage are helping push Women's football closer to financial parity.

Women's Football Awards

Women's football awards celebrate the sport's top talent, recognising standout performances at both club and international level each season.

Major Awards Include:

Award	Next Announced	2024 Winner	Club	Decided By
Ballon d'Or Féminin	Oct 2025 (expected)	Aitana Bonmatí	FC Barcelona	France Football journalists and global panel
The Best FIFA Women's Player	Late 2025	Aitana Bonmatí	FC Barcelona	FIFA votes from coaches, captains, journalists, fans
UEFA Women's Player of the Year	Aug 2025 (expected)	Aitana Bonmatí	FC Barcelona	UEFA panel: coaches, journalists, and national team selectors
FIFA Women's Goalkeeper Award	Late 2025	Alyssa Naeher	Chicago Red Stars	Same voting system as FIFA Best Player award
PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year	Aug 2025	Khadija Shaw	Manchester City	Votes by fellow professional players in England

These awards spotlight excellence and help drive visibility in the Women's game.

Women in Football

Women in football are driving progress, visibility, and equality - reshaping the sport both on and off the pitch for future generations.

Women's Football Managers

The number of female football managers is steadily growing, but women are still underrepresented in top coaching roles across both club and international football. Despite the challenges, several pioneers are redefining what leadership looks like in the Women's game.

Key facts:

• Only around 10% of managers in Women's top-tier leagues are women
• Many female coaches cite barriers in access to licenses, networks, and resources

Notable Female Football Managers

Sarina Wiegman: Guided England to their historic first major title at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022, defeating Germany in front of a record-breaking Wembley crowd. She previously led the Netherlands to the EURO 2017 title and a 2019 World Cup final, making her one of the most successful and respected coaches in Women's football.

Pia Sundhage: One of the most experienced female managers in the game, having led the USA to Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, reached the 2011 World Cup final, and gone on to manage Sweden and Brazil at the international level.

Corinne Diacre: Made history as the first woman to manage a men's professional team in France, taking charge of Clermont Foot in Ligue 2 from 2014 to 2017 before managing the French Women's national team at the 2019 Women's World Cup.

As the Women's game grows, so too does the call for more diverse and inclusive coaching pathways.

Female Football Referees

Female referees are making strides in top leagues and global tournaments, including men's competitions - boosting visibility and driving progress in football equality.

Key facts:

• Stéphanie Frappart became the first woman to referee a men's World Cup match in 2022 (Costa Rica vs. Germany), after already officiating Champions League and Ligue 1 fixtures.
• Bibiana Steinhaus was the first female referee in the German Bundesliga, and later became a referee coach and mentor for elite women officials.
• Edina Alves Batista officiated at the FIFA Club World Cup and has been a regular at Women's World Cups and international men's matches in Brazil.
• At the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, referees from 30+ nations took part, including full officiating teams made up entirely of women.
• Governing bodies like FIFA and UEFA are actively investing in the development and promotion of female referees across competitions.
• These trailblazers are paving the way for the next generation of female officials on the world stage.

Female Football Commentators

Women football pundits are now a key part of major broadcasts, offering expert analysis, player insight, and fresh perspectives on the game.

Notable Women Football Pundits

• Alex Scott - Former England defender, BBC & Sky Sports presenter
• Eni Aluko - Ex-England striker and pundit for ITV, CBS, and ESPN
• Karen Carney - WSL and Premier League analyst, ex-Chelsea midfielder
• Lucy Ward - Co-commentator and tactical analyst for Sky Sports
• Ariane Hingst - Former Germany international and UEFA media expert
• These voices bring depth, credibility, and representation to football coverage worldwide.

Growth Of Women's Football

The growth of Women's football is being driven not just by crowds and investment, but by increasing recognition, media exposure, and female leadership at every level of the sport. Players, teams, and coaches are receiving long-overdue visibility and acclaim.

Key signs of growth:

• More awards and recognition - Players like Aitana Bonmatí and Mary Earps are now household names, winning global honours such as the Ballon d'Or Féminin and FIFA Best
• Club investment rising - Major clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Lyon have integrated Women's teams with full-time staff and dedicated resources
• More female managers - High-profile coaches like Sarina Wiegman, Emma Hayes, and Pia Sundhage are leading national and top-tier club teams
• Media visibility growing - Coverage in mainstream sports outlets, social media features, and football video games is helping to expand the reach of Women's football
• As coverage increases and more women step into leadership roles, the Women's game is building long-term momentum that reaches far beyond the pitch.