Month: May 2025

After decades of lacking a professional outlet for female footballers at home, Canada has finally launched its first independent professional women’s football league: the Northern Super League (NSL). Officially kicking off in April 2025, the NSL features six founding clubs—Montreal Roses FC, Vancouver Rise FC, AFC Toronto, Ottawa Rapid FC, Calgary Wild FC, and Halifax Tides FC—and aims to create a sustainable, business-focused model for growth.

Ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon, the most influential voices in women’s football came together to discuss the game’s future.

The Women’s Super League is in advanced discussions with the Professional Footballers’ Association over providing a funding deal that would enable all players in the top two divisions to join the union for the first time.

The 3×3 basketball league Unrivaled has smashed records in its inaugural season, setting new standards for salaries and fan engagement. Women’s football is also seeing the emergence of new competitions, like the new 7v7 series, with fewer players on the pitch and different rules. What are the key factors behind their success? And why are fresh ideas and new rules so important for women’s sport?