Women’s football in England is facing a tricky question: after average Women’s Super League attendances surged by 192% in the season following the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 triumph, the boom has stalled — and some of the biggest fixtures are now drawing significantly smaller crowds.
Image: Women’s Super League match (Credits: BBC Sport)
According to a 2026 report from YouGov and architecture firm Populous, median WSL crowds have risen by just 166 fans, from 3,070 in 2023-24 to 3,236 in 2025-26. Some headline fixtures have dropped sharply: Arsenal against Manchester United at the Emirates fell from 46,603 in 2024-25 to 29,853 this season, while Chelsea v Arsenal dropped from 34,302 to 19,349.
Big Numbers, Smaller Gates
Arsenal, who averaged 34,000 at the Emirates last season — higher than eight Premier League sides — managed just 19,546 for their October match against Birmingham City. The Manchester derby drew only 5,361 at Leigh Sports Village in October, down from 24,983 at Old Trafford last March.
There are bright spots, including a sold-out 4,000-ticket Arsenal away allocation at Tottenham for the first time. But the wider trend for some matches is hard to ignore.
What Matters Most: Family Fun or Football First?
When supporters were asked what mattered most to their enjoyment of a women’s match, a “welcoming, family-friendly environment” ranked above team success and on-pitch quality. But that same marketing is frustrating loyal fans. One Tottenham supporter said the club would “never grow” if marketing stayed aimed at kids and families rather than young adults with disposable income, while another warned clubs are “losing sight of football and the importance of winning.”
The report also found only 15% of recent attendees go at least monthly, while 43% are casual followers who engage more with major tournaments than club football. Scheduling emerged as another major complaint: inconsistent kick-off times and late changes make it hard for fans to build a routine.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
