The landscape of women’s football is undergoing a pivotal shift. A moment defined by growth, professionalization, increased visibility, and a necessary social transformation. Beyond unprecedented competitive strides, the sport is redefining leadership, equality, and talent development. While challenges remain, the financial health of the women’s game is demonstrably improving, signaling a turning point for the sport globally.
According to Deloitte’s Football Money League 2025 report, the combined revenue of the four highest-earning women’s teams – Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City – reached €158 million in 2025. This represents a significant 35% increase compared to the previous year, illustrating the accelerating commercial growth within the women’s game. This growth isn’t isolated; it’s part of a broader trend impacting leagues and clubs worldwide.
The evolving state of the women’s game was recently discussed in a program hosted by Palco23, featuring insights from Dolors Ribalta, director of Real Club Deportivo Español Femenino, and Marta Corredera, a former professional and international footballer, alongside David García, editorial director of Palco23. Their conversation highlighted key changes and ongoing challenges facing the sport.
Ribalta emphasized the increasing professionalization of women’s leagues as a major step forward. Corredera concurred, while similarly noting that some clubs still face precarious working conditions. This underscores a critical point: while progress is being made, disparities persist within the sport.
García added that structural changes are also playing a vital role. He pointed to the signing of the second collective bargaining agreement and the sponsorship deal with Moeve as significant milestones for the Liga F in Spain. These developments, both Corredera and Ribalta agreed, are positive steps toward greater stability and recognition for the league and its players.
Despite these advancements, a gap remains between the Liga F and LaLiga in terms of overall financial strength and infrastructure. Ribalta acknowledged that while the Liga F is experiencing its best moment, it’s not yet ideal, citing the need for further professionalization within several clubs. Corredera echoed this sentiment, suggesting that both the league itself and its constituent clubs need to continue evolving.
Average attendance at Liga F Moeve matches currently stands at approximately 1,700 people, according to a report from Football Benchmark. While this represents a growing fanbase, it highlights the challenge of attracting larger crowds. Ribalta explained that expanding into larger stadiums is a goal, but one that will be realized when current stadium capacities are consistently filled. The focus, she stated, is on building a sustainable fanbase that can support larger venues.
“The big challenge is figuring out how to get people excited about women’s football,” Ribalta commented. The conversation then shifted to the crucial topic of working conditions. Corredera noted that the first collective bargaining agreement marked a turning point, improving conditions for many players who previously faced precarious employment situations.
Ribalta offered a perspective from the club management side, explaining that the women’s teams are often financially dependent on their male counterparts. This financial reality, she argued, leads to player transfers as clubs seek to build competitive squads. García highlighted the financial disparity, noting that FC Barcelona’s women’s team receives €11 million of the club’s overall budget, while the men’s team receives €350 million. Real Madrid’s women’s team operates on a €9 million budget compared to the men’s team’s €760 million.
The discussion also touched upon the impact of visibility in television, social media, and digital platforms, the importance of youth development programs, and the role of federations and clubs in nurturing young talent. These are all critical components in the continued growth and sustainability of the women’s game.
The financial growth of women’s football is not limited to Europe. Forbes recently published a list of the most valuable women’s sports teams in the world, with the New York Liberty of the WNBA leading the way with an estimated value of $400 million. The WNBA’s 12 franchises all ranked among the top 25 most valuable women’s teams globally, demonstrating the league’s increasing commercial appeal. The list also included eight teams from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and five European football clubs.
The increasing value of these teams is attracting investment and sparking debate about revenue sharing and player compensation. As the WNBA prepares for its 30th season, players are seeking a greater share of the league’s growing revenue, leading to negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. This underscores the importance of ensuring that the financial benefits of the sport’s growth are shared equitably among all stakeholders.
The path forward for women’s football involves continued investment in infrastructure, professionalization of leagues, increased visibility, and a commitment to fair labor practices. The recent strides made in revenue generation, as highlighted by Deloitte’s report, demonstrate the potential for further growth and the increasing commercial viability of the sport. However, sustained progress requires a collaborative effort from clubs, leagues, federations, and fans.
Looking ahead, the Liga F will continue to build on its recent successes, including the Moeve sponsorship and the collective bargaining agreement. The league aims to attract larger crowds, improve stadium infrastructure, and further professionalize its operations. The focus will be on creating a sustainable and competitive league that can rival the top women’s leagues in the world, such as the Women’s Super League in England.
The next key date for the Liga F is the continuation of league play, with upcoming matches scheduled throughout March and April. Fans can follow the league’s progress and find updated schedules and results on the official Liga F website. The ongoing negotiations for a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement will also be a key development to watch in the coming months.
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