The numbers don’t lie: Women’s football is experiencing unprecedented growth. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup captivated over one billion viewers worldwide, while the English Women’s Super League has seen attendance surge by 31% this season alone. But these aren’t just statistics – they represent a fundamental shift in the sports industry landscape and a golden opportunity for brands seeking authentic connections with an engaged, values-driven audience.
The Economic Case for Women’s Football Is Clear
Let’s talk business. Deloitte’s latest analysis reveals that women’s elite sports will generate global revenues of US$1.28 billion in 2024, with football leading the charge at US$555 million. The NWSL’s groundbreaking media deal worth $240 million over four years is just the beginning. UEFA projects the commercial value of women’s club and league football in Europe to reach €686 million by 2033.
But here’s what makes this opportunity truly unique: Women’s football offers brands something increasingly rare in today’s saturated sports market – the chance to be pioneers. The entry point for investment can deliver greater returns compared to other sports, both in terms of financial ROI and brand impact.
Beyond Traditional Sports Sponsorship
The most successful brands in women’s football understand that this isn’t just about logo placement. The recent groundbreaking partnership between Dove and NJ/NY Gotham FC exemplifies this perfectly. In what became the highest back-of-jersey sponsorship deal in NWSL history (valued at over $500,000 per year), Dove’s partnership goes far beyond traditional sponsorship metrics. The alliance centers around Gotham’s «Keep Her in the Game» initiative, which addresses the concerning statistic that girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14.
Innovation in brand partnerships continues to push boundaries. Take Tigres Femenil’s groundbreaking two-year alliance with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and DC Comics, centered around Wonder Woman. This partnership perfectly aligns the team’s «Amazonas» nickname with Wonder Woman’s values of empowerment and strength. The collaboration has already produced remarkable results, including the first-ever collaboration between adidas and DC Comics for a women’s soccer team – a Wonder Woman-inspired pre-match jersey that perfectly blends sports, pop culture, and female empowerment. But that did not stay there, as Atlético de Madrid has also launched its own capsule of the Wonder Woman collection.
This kind of creative thinking extends across the industry. Rexona’s «Breaking Limits» program, active in 13 markets, combines brand visibility with meaningful social impact. Angel City FC’s innovative model, where 1% of ticket revenues go directly to players who support sales initiatives, creates a virtuous circle of growth and engagement. For Unilever, Dove’s parent company (which also owns Rexona), these partnerships represent an expansion of their strategic investment in women’s football, creating authentic engagement that resonates with fans and stakeholders alike.
What sets women’s football apart is its audience. Research shows that 37% of fans actively engage through social media, and 84% of sports fans perceive women’s football as more progressive, less money-driven, and more family-oriented than men’s sports. This presents a unique opportunity for brands to connect with consumers through shared values and authentic storytelling.
The Time to Invest in Women’s Football Is Now
The market is at a critical inflection point. Major brands are taking notice, but there’s still room for innovative players to make their mark. The questions for forward-thinking businesses aren’t about whether to invest, but how and when.
The Next Wave: Infrastructure and New Opportunities
A new frontier is emerging in women’s football: purpose-built stadiums. This infrastructure revolution isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it represents a whole new ecosystem of brand opportunities:
– Naming rights for women’s-specific venues
– Technology integration partnerships for state-of-the-art fan experiences
– Sustainable infrastructure initiatives
– Digital infrastructure and smart stadium solutions
– Community development programs
– Fan experience enhancement opportunities
These new venues will serve as year-round brand activation hubs, offering opportunities for everything from traditional sponsorship to innovative digital engagement. For brands, this represents a chance to be part of women’s football’s physical legacy while creating unique touchpoints with an engaged audience.
Success Stories Through WFS: Where Opportunities Become Partnerships
World Football Summit has consistently served as a catalyst for transformative partnerships in women’s football. Take Rexona’s journey: after participating in WFS, they evolved their approach to women’s football entirely. Emily Heath, Global Partnerships Lead at Rexona, shared at WFS how their research into barriers preventing girls from participating in sports led to a complete reimagining of their engagement strategy.
The British Embassy’s GREAT Campaign found their footing in women’s football through WFS, using the platform to showcase how football can foster gender equality across all sports. Their panel at WFS sparked crucial conversations about infrastructure improvements and inclusive practices that are now being implemented across the industry.
Even entire nations have leveraged WFS to accelerate their women’s football development. Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in professionalizing women’s football was both showcased and accelerated through WFS panels and networking opportunities.
Your Gateway to Women’s Football: Women’s Football Summit
Building on these success stories, World Football Summit continues to evolve, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to women’s football. Through initiatives like the WFS Awards’ «Best Women’s Football Initiative» category and dedicated Women’s Football recognition at each Regional Honors gala, WFS has consistently championed the growth and professionalization of the women’s game.
On March 27th, the iconic San Mamés stadium in Bilbao will host Women’s Football Summit, bringing together the industry’s most influential voices and decision-makers. Industry leaders like Claire Bloomfield from the European Club Association, Julie Uhrman of Angel City FC, and Bex Smith will share insights on navigating this dynamic landscape. Mauricio Culebro, President of Tigres, will also be present to discuss how innovative partnerships – like their groundbreaking Wonder Woman collaboration – can create new value in women’s football.
The power of in-person events cannot be understated. Recent industry data shows that 59% of meeting professionals favor organizing in-person-only events, with 66% anticipating increased budgets for 2025. This trend reflects a growing recognition that face-to-face interactions drive stronger business outcomes. In fact, 80% of industry experts predict an increase in event spending, with 30% expecting the rise to surpass 25% – highlighting the enduring value of personal connections in business development.
The summit offers a unique opportunity to:
– Connect with key stakeholders shaping the future of women’s football
– Explore innovative partnership models and activation strategies
– Understand the latest market trends and consumer insights
– Position your brand at the forefront of football’s fastest-growing sector
What sets WFS apart is our proven track record of facilitating meaningful connections that lead to real business outcomes. Our events have become known for:
– Direct access to decision-makers in an intimate setting
– Curated networking opportunities that match brands with relevant partners
– Exposure to cutting-edge strategies in fan engagement and digital activation
Women’s Football Summit in Bilbao will feature dedicated spaces for brands to explore partnership opportunities, including specialized workshops on brand activation in women’s football and one-on-one meeting opportunities with club and league representatives.
Play the game. Join the Movement
The window of opportunity is open, but it won’t stay that way forever. Early movers in women’s football are already seeing returns, not just in brand visibility but in meaningful connections with a passionate and growing fanbase.
Ready to explore how your brand can be part of football’s most exciting growth story?
Join us at Women’s Football Summit in Bilbao. Special corporate passes are available at €150, with a dedicated rate of €120 for women, as part of our commitment to fostering diverse participation in the industry.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative moment in sports. The future of football is here, and it’s more accessible than you might think.
Get in touch, and let’s discuss together how we can make the most of this momentum for your brand.
