Women's Euro 2025: how women’s football captured the world’s attention
As the UEFA Women’s Euro final approaches, with England set to face Spain this Sunday, anticipation is building for what promises to be an epic clash. But while we wait for the action to kick off, we are looking at some fascinating facts and see how far women’s football has come.
From packed stadiums across Europe to millions of fans watching around the world, the women’s game has broken records and finally claimed its rightful place on the global stage.
So, what’s the story behind this rise and why is the spotlight shining so brightly now? Let’s take a closer look at the journey that’s brought women’s football to the forefront.
Breaking records
Women’s football is gaining its momentum. As per the UEFA the current event is the largest UEFA Women’s Euro as the attendance has been record-breaking. Even before the tournament began, over 600,000 tickets were sold, surpassing previous records and setting the foundation for the most attended Women’s Euro ever.
This year’s Women’s Euro has been a huge success both in stadiums and online. During the group stage, social media engagements jumped 55% to 8.4 million, while views soared from 113.7 million to 189.4 million. Website and app visits also nearly doubled, reaching 30 million – up 92% from 2022.
This proves that women’s football can be as exciting as male’s and it is of the audience’s interest, gaining global recognition.
If it was not clear before, it’s undeniable now women’s football is unstoppable and here to stay.
- Nadine Kessler, German retired footballer and current UEFA’s head of women’s football
Gender in the game. Who plays it better?
The debate over gender in sport is nothing new… and football is no exception. Women remain underrepresented across many sectors, often underpaid and faced with systemic barriers. And while the popularity of women’s football has surged in recent years, it still doesn’t rival the global dominance of the men’s game.
As per the Norwegian source, a study conducted by the University of Stavanger in Norway, the University of Zurich in Germany, and Southern Utah University in the US explored how gender biases shape perceptions of football quality. Over 600 participants watched clips of elite male and female players - some in clear view, others blurred to obscure the players’ gender.
The results were revealing: when it wasn’t clear what gender it is, participants rated the matches equally. But once gender was identifiable, the men’s games were rated more highly.
There’s still a significant amount of work required to ensure equal opportunities for girls and women in various professions.
- Sarina Wiegman, England women’s national team manager
Bias and stereotypes continue to influence how we perceive women’s football. Therefore, it is important to keep working on it.
The first £1 million female footballer transfer
The gender pay gap in sport is still significant. Across salaries, prize money, and endorsements, women are paid far less than their male counterparts… and football is no exception.
But momentum is shifting. As the popularity and visibility of women’s football continue to grow, so too does the financial recognition of its players.
In a historic milestone, 20-year-old Canadian star Olivia Smith became the first female footballer to be transferred for £1 million, joining Arsenal. This record-breaking fee surpasses the previous high of £890,000 paid by Chelsea for US defender Naomi Girma, making Smith the most expensive signing in women’s football history.
The move marks a defining moment for the women’s game and it is a sign of changing perception of women in sport.
The most goals scored by a woman
When it comes to scoring goals on the international stage, Christine Sinclair is the legendary Canadian striker who holds the world record for most international goals in football history, across both the women’s and men’s games.
Sinclair claimed the top spot in 2020 after scoring twice in the opening 23 minutes of Canada’s dominant 11-0 win over St. Kitts & Nevis. By 2022, she had reached an astonishing 189 goals in 310 appearances for her country.
To put that into perspective, the men’s record holder, Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored 117 goals for Portugal. While his feat is extraordinary, Sinclair’s achievement not only surpasses it but redefines what’s possible at the international level.
There’s no better feeling than stepping out on the field and stunning them all by doing what none of them thought you could do.
- Ashlyn Harris, American former soccer player
She’s not the only record-breaking woman in the game. Brazil’s Marta, another icon of the sport, isn’t far behind and is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, male or female.
As old as the men’s game
Biases exist but the truth is that women’s football shares deep historical roots with the men’s game, even if it took much longer to gain recognition. Apparently, women were involved from the start of modern football, with the first recorded match taking place in 1881 between English and Scottish teams.
The first officially documented women’s match in Britain followed in 1895, when the British Ladies’ Football Club staged a North vs South clash at Alexandra Palace in London. Over 11,000 spectators turned out, proving early on that there was strong public interest in the women’s game.
Inclusivity is not something that can be achieved simply by saying the right things. It requires meaningful actions and a strong commitment to making it a reality.
- Sarina Wiegman, England women’s national team manager
In fact, women’s football enjoyed notable popularity before World War I, arguably more than in many decades that followed (it was banned in 1921 and that ban lasted 50 years!). But after years of being sidelined, the tide is turning. Today, interest, investment, and recognition are finally growing, bringing the game back in the spotlight.
Change is coming
So, why is women’s football finally getting the spotlight it deserves?
Its growing popularity can be credited to a thrilling style of play, the rise of inspiring female athletes, and greater visibility through media and social platforms. Major tournaments like the Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s Euro have showcased the incredible talent on the pitch while building national pride and shifting public perception.
Who could forget that unforgettable moment in 2022, when the Lionesses triumphed over Germany at Wembley in front of 87,000 fans? It was a victory and definitely a turning point. That win lit a fire across the UK and gave women’s football the respect and recognition it had long deserved.
Now, with momentum building and history still being made, all eyes are on the current squad. Here’s hoping for another iconic victory so fingers crossed for the Lionesses playing in the final this Sunday!
At Morson, we actively support women through dedicated sponsorships and initiatives. We have long been a sponsor of Cadishead U9 Emeralds girls football team and partner with groups like the Canadian Association for Girls in Science to promote STEM and empower young women. Morson also champions allyship in the push for gender equality in sport and beyond.
