Over the past 15 years, women’s football has skyrocketed, captivating fans across Europe and global competitions.
From packed stadiums to record-breaking viewership, the sport is finally earning the spotlight it deserves, with powerhouse clubs like Chelsea Women and international stars driving an unstoppable surge in popularity.
No longer an afterthought, women’s football is now at the forefront of growing global sports culture, captivating audiences with its talents, fierce competition in various leagues across Europe and inspiring stories of resilience, while drawing unprecedented investment and passionate support from fans across continents.
From sold-out stadiums like Stamford Bridge and Estadi Johan Cruyff to record-breaking viewership for events like the Women’s World Cup, the sport has transformed into a cultural phenomenon.
And behind this growing popularity are powerhouse clubs like Barcelona Femení (SPAIN), Olympique Lyonnais (FRANCE), Vfl Wolfsburg Frauen (GERMANY), and Arsenal Women (ENGLAND) who have breezed past other competitors in their various leagues.
Queens of England: Chelsea’s Women Relentless Rise
After spending 12 years with Chelsea Women from August 2012 to May 2024, Emma Hayes decided to step down as head coach, after winning 16 major trophies with the Blues, which included, seven Women’s Super League titles, five FA Cups, two Women’s League Cups, one community shield and one WSL Spring series.
She also led Chelsea to one UEFA Women’s Champions League final, where she lost 4-0 to Barcelona femení.
Following Emma Hayes’ departure, fans and pundits alike questioned whether Chelsea could maintain their dominance, as the exit of such a pivotal figure left the team at a crossroads.
Questions were also raised about whether Emma Hayes’s 12-year tenure at Chelsea should be considered a complete success, given her failure to secure the Champions League, a topic explored in depth by Goal’s analysis of her legacy.
Chelsea’s leadership then turned to former Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor to steer the club into a new era, and she has delivered spectacularly.
Guiding Chelsea to a historic domestic treble, Bompastor masterminded an unbeaten 22-game WSL campaign – boasting 19 wins and three draws – capped by a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
The Blues’ treble-winning side were led by several standout players who brought Experience, flair, grit and game-changing moments to the pitch.
They include Guro Reiten, Lucy Bronze, Catarina Macario, and Lauren James, with Aggie Beever Jones who has been a childhood supporter of the Blues ending up as the Blues’ top goal scorer with 13 goals.
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Unstoppable Force: Barcelona Femení’s March Toward a Historic Quadruple
Barcelona Femení has solidified their status as an elite power in women’s football, dominating Spain’s Liga F with an iron grip.
By the end of the 2024/2025 season, the Catalan giants had clinched six consecutive Liga F titles from the 2019/2020 season to the 2024/2025 season while also securing three UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns in the same space of time.
This extraordinary run cements their reign as the undisputed queens of Spanish football, leaving rivals in their wake.
The last team to interrupt Barcelona’s dominance was Atlético Madrid, who claimed the Liga F title in the 2018/2019 season. Since then, Barcelona have been relentless, outclassing competitors with their electrifying style and tactical brilliance.
Adding to their legacy, Barcelona has produced two Ballon d’Or Féminin winners, showcasing their ability to nurture world-class talent:
Alexia Putellas: The midfield maestro became the first Spanish-born player to win the prestigious award in 2021 and 2022, her leadership and vision defining Barcelona’s golden era.
Aitana Bonmatí: Following Putellas’ footsteps, Bonmatí claimed the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2023 and 2024, her dynamic play and relentless drive making her a global icon.
This team has dominated their league and European competition, outshining rivals across the continent.
They now aim to secure a second quadruple – after completing the first in the 2023/2024 season – when they face Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final and Atlético Madrid in the Copa de la Reina on June 7.
Historic Stadiums Repurposed
Everton’s historic Goodison Park, originally slated for demolition, will be repurposed as the dedicated home for Everton Women, becoming the first major UK stadium exclusively for a women’s team.
Everton Football Club will relocate to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool, ending a 133-year legacy at Goodison Park, their home since 1892.
Situated in the Vauxhall area, the new stadium boasts a 52,888-seat capacity, making it England’s eighth-largest football venue.
The move is set for the start of the 2025/2026 Premier League season, with the first match scheduled for August 2025.
Growth Trend
As of 2023, over 16.6 million women and girls are playing organized football worldwide, reflecting a nearly 25% increase since 2019.
This growth is significant, with women’s football considered the single biggest growth opportunity for FIFA. The total number of women’s football clubs also reached 55,622 with a majority located in Europe.
Participation has surged, with England reporting a 56% increase in women and girls playing football from 2020-2024.
The World Cup has also expanded over the years, starting with 12 teams in 1991, then 16 in 1999, and 24 in 2015. The current format, adopted in 2023, features 32 teams.
However, the sport’s growth is not without challenges, as the rising prevalence of ACL injuries among female players continues to pose a serious concern.
MORE FOR YOU: The Plague That Is ACL Injuries in Women’s Football
More Filled Stadiums
Fan engagement has also soared, with more people getting involved with the sports.
Women’s Super League (WSL) has seen a 239% attendance rise since 2021 and the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final sold out Wembley for two consecutive seasons.
Similarly, France’s D1 Féminine experienced a 38% increase, indicating a growing fan base across Europe.
The 2023 Women’s FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United holds the record for the highest attendance, with 77,390 spectators at Wembley Stadium.
This figure smashed the previous record of 49,094 set in 2022 and marked the highest crowd for a women’s domestic club fixture globally, driven by the surge in interest following England’s Euro 2022 victory.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 18.05.2025