UEFA Women’s Football: $1B ‘To Make Women’s Soccer Most-Played Team Sport’

By Barry Janoff

October 30, 2024: Calling it a strategy to make soccer “the most-played team sport for women and girls in every European country,” UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and UEFA Women’s Football have unveiled “Unstoppable,” a six-year plan aimed at increasing the number of women and girls — and the number  of pro leagues across the continent — playing the game.

UEFA and UEFA Women’s Football said they have pledged $1 billion “of competition revenue and UEFA investment to women's football initiatives, supporting national association grassroots and development projects and transforming our competitions.”

"'Unstoppable' is our road map to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future, unlocking the full potential of women’s football,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said via the organization.

“As we enter this exciting new era, we must continue with the same passion that has driven us this far. Our dedication to the cause remains as strong as ever. Our mission is simple — to help women’s football gain a prominent place in the European sporting community."

UEFA Women’s Football said it plans to double the number of fully professional national leagues to six and raising the number of professional players from 3,000 to 5,000 across the continent.

“Women’s football has gone from strength to strength following the launch of UEFA’s first dedicated strategic framework — "Time for Action" — in 2019,” according to UEFA Women’s Football.

UEFA and UEFA Women’s Football said they have four goals for "Unstoppable" over the next six years.

“Help us make women's football:

• The most-played team sport for women and girls in every European country, through developing football pathways for players, coaches and referees alongside grassroots opportunities

• The home of the world’s top players, with six fully professional leagues and 5,000 fully professional players across the continent

• The most sustainable and investable women’s sport, with record-breaking UEFA competitions

• Celebrated for its unique values and community, where everyone believes that they can have a place in women’s football.”

“This strategy sets bold and ambitious targets that will enable us to take the women’s game to another level by 2030,” according to UEFA and UEFA Women’s Football.

"European women’s football has never been in a better place,” Nadine Kessler, UEFA managing director of women's football, said via the organization. “National teams and clubs are excelling thanks to enormous investments, improved competition structures and thousands of emerging professional playing opportunities.

"Women’s football in Europe has become a sport for the masses, attracting an ever-growing and diverse fan base, and partners that wholeheartedly contribute to its growth

“It is our promise to keep investing and collectively lead the game forward, with all European national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans and partners part of our journey – because women’s football is Unstoppable."

The initiative comes as women’s soccer in the U.S. is reaching new heights, driven by the NWSL, which this season has set records in viewership, attendance and marketing. This past July, Angel City FC was sold for $250 million, making it the most valuable women’s soccer club in the world.

This past summer also saw the launch of the women's USL Super League, with clubs nationwide.

According to UEFA and UEFA Women’s League, “'Unstoppable' builds on the foundations laid by 'Time for Action' and the unique opportunity we now have to increase investment, cement our direction and create a sustainable future for the next generation of players, coaches, referees, volunteers and fans.”

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