Category: News

Women’s football has long carried a strong social dimension, with many players using their public image and personal stories to build connections that extend beyond the pitch. These initiatives range from supporting causes such as women’s health and environmental protection to creating new opportunities within football for under represented groups. In Italy, where structural barriers remain, two pathways in particular offer the potential to expand women’s roles and strengthen their presence within the sport.

Alexia Putellas’ WSL debut, a sold-out stadium and a squad packed with some of the biggest names in the game. The 2026–27 season could hardly begin under a brighter spotlight for London City Lionesses.

For some football fans, watching a match means grabbing a ticket, heading to the stadium and going home when the final whistle blows. For the dedicated others, it means booking a flight, finding a hotel and planning an entire weekend (or longer!) around the game.

At the heart of women’s football right now, there seems to be a strange contradiction brewing where broadcasting is concerned.

Women’s football is growing fast, but so are other women’s sports. The rapid growth of basketball in particular is worth analysing. The WNBA has succeeded in creating recognisable club identities, leveraging the college system and growing fan engagement. But at times, the road has been patchy. Here’s what women’s football can learn from basketball’s successes and failures, and where the best opportunities for cross-sport collaboration lie.

As women’s football continues to gain momentum across Europe, the Frauen-Bundesliga finds itself at an exciting turning point. Talking to the Rise of Women’s Football, FC Bayern Women’s director Bianca Rech reflects on the league’s strengths and its potential to become one of Europe’s leading competitions. She discusses what makes Germany an attractive environment for developing young talent, the changes needed to further professionalise the game, and the opportunities that lie ahead – from the creation of new structures to the 2029 European Championship on home soil.

Rech also offers her perspective on the growing influence of investment in women’s football and explains why, for FC Bayern, long-term development, a strong identity and sustainable growth matter more than simply keeping pace with the market.