How WSL fans are outdoing Premier League – according to new stats | OneFootball

Arsenal Women v Chelsea Women – Barclays FA Women’s Super League

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 05: General view as fans look on during the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women at Emirates Stadium on September 05, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

New data from Barclays reveals that fans attending Women’s Super League matches are outspending their counterparts in the Premier League.

WSL fans spend an average of £144.70 per matchday, excluding the cost of the match ticket – compared to £138 for fans in the Premier League.

The study also highlighted huge support for women’s football more broadly, with 60 per cent of all match-goers agreeing that they would be more likely to attend WSL matches if they were played in the club’s main ground, and nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) agreeing that clubs should host their WSL team’s matches at the club’s main ground where possible.

A similar percentage (67 per cent) would like to see more investment in women’s football, with more than seven in 10 (71 per cent) saying that women’s football is a growing part of the UK’s football economy.

Almost three-quarters of respondents (74 per cent) believe that the growing popularity of women’s football in the UK is thanks to the international success of the England Lionesses. Barclays’ data also indicates this, showing that in the 2024-25 WSL season matchday spending within a 1km radius of WSL matches has grown by 11.7 per cent compared to 2021-22, the season before England won their first Women’s Euros.

Barclays: Women’s football is a big growth opportunity

“Women’s football is now one of the biggest growth opportunities in the sport,” said Rich Robinson, Head of Hospitality and Leisure at Barclays, in quotes circulated to the press. “Barclays Women’s Super League matchday spending has climbed sharply in recent seasons, fuelled by fan spending power, rising attendances, main stadium fixtures and the momentum created by the England Lionesses.”

Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football, said: “Women’s football fandom is still emerging, and this data from Barclays provides valuable insight into how supporters engage with the game when they attend. We are learning all the time about fan behaviour in the women’s game and what people want. Clearly football has a positive impact on the local economy, and this data demonstrates the spending potential that clubs can embrace to create experiences in and around their stadiums on matchday that make it an unmissable event.”

And Ian Wright, Barclays Ambassador, said: “I love that people are supporting local cafes, pubs, shops on matchdays. Without those communities football wouldn’t be as special as it is.

“And to see so many people calling for more investment in women’s football is right – we’ve got Barclays and the Lionesses to thank for making the game so much more visible.”