Growing popularity of Women’s Football: A Ray of Hope?

Women’s football is getting more popular and significant, as the 2019 World Cup demonstrated, with increased participation, professionalization, and media exposure throughout the world. It has only been a tough road, full of obstacles, until the trending movement of recent times. Like in every other sport, focus on funding and developing the men has been the case since time immemorial. Even though the gap is gradually being bridged, there is still a long way to go, and would need serious work from the governing bodies of the game.

Women have been playing football since it became an established sport, much like their male counterparts. Many claim that formal games have been held in Scotland since the 1790s. Women participating in the sport in its early phases are documented and well-known, which is an intriguing fact given the discrepancy in financing, exposure, and other crucial aspects between the genders. Furthermore, the very first women’s team was established in Europe in 1894.

Impact on the TV Market

Historic day for women’s football, it’s the 1st time a women’s league game will be live on BBC1 ?

We kick things off with #FootballFocus 12pm live from Goodison Park,
Hope you can join us ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/CPq698mA0F
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) September 4, 2021

Television rights are a key development field for women’s football, with broadcast money accounting just for 6% of teams’ overall revenue, according to FIFA. The survey findings from 30 leagues and 282 clubs are used to examine the women’s football environment in six major areas: sporting, administration, finances, fan interest, players, and COVID-19. The research revealed that leagues who negotiate television rights exclusively for women’s soccer make greater income on average than leagues that do not.

FS Video

“Boosting the development and growth of women’s football, on and off the pitch, is a key commitment and top priority for FIFA,” the governing body president, Gianni Infantino stated, earlier this year.

According to reports, if women’s football are seen on television in the UK, it would receive a 296.7 % boost, while in the EU, the boost could be as high as 358.7% and in the US, 304.6 %. The survey follows the announcement of an £8 million per season agreement for the television rights to the Women’s Super League, which will see women’s top-flight fixtures televised on BBC One and BBC Two, as well as across the main Sky Sports channels.

What lies ahead for Women’s Football?

Women’s football has grown and increased in engagement and popularity more than it has ever before in the twenty-first century. This development has been fueled by a number of successful competitions, particularly the Women’s World Cup tournaments held every four years. Furthermore, additional football teams, organizations, players, and general support are springing up at a quick rate. However, there is growing concern over lower salary and wages for women in comparison to men, as well as lack of representation of women’s coaches and players. Hopefully, these hurdles and causes that are preventing the growth of women’s football can be addressed and eliminated very soon.