New Delhi: European football’s governing body, UEFA, has announced an ambitious plan to invest €1 billion (£830 million) into women’s football over the next six years. This initiative aims to make women’s football the most played team sport in Europe, underscoring UEFA’s commitment to promoting the women’s game at all levels. This is a big move in solidifying women’s football as the premier sport in all of women’s games.
The funding will come from competition revenues and UEFA investments, which will be allocated to various national team competitions, club tournaments, and national associations. This financial boost is intended to transform Europe into “the home of the world’s top players,” with plans for six fully professional leagues and a total of 5,000 professional players across the continent.
Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s managing director of women’s football, emphasized the current positive trajectory of the sport, stating, “European women’s football has never been in a better place.” She highlighted the sport’s growing popularity, diverse fan base, and the increasing support from partners who contribute to its development.
Another five years of WSL on the BBC! 🙌
We’re excited to announce that live Women’s Super League games will remain on BBC TV and iPlayer until at least 2030. ✍️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ta6qZOw0GK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 30, 2024
The newly unveiled strategy, dubbed ‘Unstoppable,’ reflects the rising financial power of women’s football. Recent reports indicate that the Women’s Super League generated record revenue during the 2022-23 season, while the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which was won by Spain, brought in an impressive £440 million in revenue.
As part of this investment plan, UEFA also intends to introduce a second women’s European club competition, which will function beneath the Champions League. This new tournament will adopt a straight knockout format, allowing teams that are eliminated in the early rounds of the Champions League to compete for another title.
Looking ahead, UEFA will also host Euro 2025 in Switzerland, further showcasing its commitment to women’s football and providing a platform for the best female players in Europe. This comprehensive investment strategy aims not only to elevate the standard of play but also to inspire future generations of female athletes across the continent.
