Women’s football is on track to reach 800 million fans by 2030 – and much of that growth is coming from outside its traditional European markets. This article highlights three main markets for women’s football outside of Europe and North America. The next billion fans may not come from where the industry has been looking.
The idea of staging domestic competitions abroad is no longer radical in the men’s game, but in women’s football it remains a more nuanced debate. This season, the Spanish Women’s Supercopa came close to becoming part of that international shift.
“When we arrived, we were clear about one thing: we had to eliminate the off-field noise and focus on building and working toward having the best team in the world. Everything else had to be put in its place.”
Michel Kang’s name rarely circulates quietly. The owner of Olympique Lyonnais and one of the most influential investors in women’s football is once again at the centre of speculation — this time linked to a potential move into Spain’s Liga F.
For a long time, Spanish women’s football was surrounded by noise. The talent on the pitch was not matched by support in the boardrooms, and even a golden generation capable of winning the World Cup lacked the backing to fully unleash its potential. Off the field, players fought just as hard to secure the minimum resources necessary to compete.