Women’s Football Growth Women’s Euro 2025 set for records

Zurich

The upcoming Women’s Euro 2025, set to begin next week in Switzerland, is poised to become the most attended and widely viewed edition in the tournament’s history. Organisers have already sold over half a million tickets for the 31 matches, with expectations of surpassing the 2022 attendance record of 575,000.

Since the inaugural championship in 1984, when matches drew just a few hundred spectators, women’s football has experienced exponential growth. At Euro 2022, over 87,000 fans packed Wembley Stadium for the final, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity.

Barcelona and Spain star Alexia Putellas remarked on the transformation, stating, “Five years ago, the game was completely different. Now, players are stronger, faster, and more technically skilled.” She credited increased visibility and investment for the shift, allowing young girls to dream of professional football careers.

UEFA’s “Unstoppable” strategy aims to make football the most-played team sport for women and girls in Europe by 2030. Revenue for this edition is projected to rise by 145% from 2022, backed by more than 20 sponsors, including major brands like Visa, Adidas, and Amazon.

The prize money has also doubled to €41 million, with players guaranteed a share for the first time through their national federations. The tournament will feature 16 teams, up from four in 1984, reflecting the rapid expansion of women’s football. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin noted, “This tournament will bring more investment into the women’s game than ever before.” Officials stress maintaining equality between developed and developing leagues to ensure inclusive growth across the sport.