USL unveils 8 founder members of W League saying it will have 30 clubs at kick off
June 11 – The USL has unveiled the eight founding members of its women’s pro-am – the W League – that will begin play in May 2022.
Women
New Women’s Cup comp in US secures PSG and Bayern participation and Paramount+ TV deal
June 10 – The new launch women’s friendly club tournament – The Women’s Cup (TWC) – to be hosted for the first time in Louisville in the US 18-21 August, has sold its US broadcast rights to Paramount+.
San Diego to be home of NWSL’s 12th team, joining Angel City in 2022 start
June 10 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is set to add a 12th team to its competition. San Diego will join the Los Angeles-based Angel City FC debuting in the 2022 season.
England target 700,000+ ticket sales for women’s Euros and a ‘turbo-charged’ legacy
By Paul Nicholson
May 19 – Women’s Euro 2022 organisers England have unveiled ticketing and legacy plans for the tournament that aims to sell more than 700,000 tickets and see more than 120,000 girls playing across the nine host cities.
Mastercard partners with NWSL and drives gender equity platform
May 17 – Global payment and technology provider Mastercard is joining the National Women’s Soccer League as an official partner in a multi-year deal.
Infantino promises new Women’s Club World Cup will revolutionise game
May 2 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino (pictured) has once again floated the idea of a new Women’s Club World Cup, saying the competition “is coming soon”.
UEFA draws groups for 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifiers
April 30 – A record number of 51 nations were in the the European qualifying draw for the 2023 Women’s World Cup held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon today.
UEFA commits to €24m for Women’s Champions League teams
April 29 – Outlining a new financial model for the Women’s Champions League, UEFA will pour €24 million into the competition for redistribution to teams, the continental governing body announced on Wednesday.
Unbeaten US top world ranking as Dutch women move into 3rd spot behind Germany
April 16 – The United States remain at the top of the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, cementing their dominance of the game further, with European champions the Netherlands moving into third position.
AFC pushes new women’s club licensing criteria en route to 2023 Champions League debut
April 15 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has taken the next steps in outlining a club licensing pathway for women’s clubs, with a view to establishing a meet the requirements for participation in the AFC Women’s Champions League in 2023.
Court approves USWNT working conditions deal; focus back on equal pay compensation
By Samindra Kunti
April 13 – An American court has approved a partial deal between players of the United States women’s national team and the U.S. Soccer Federation over unequal working conditions.
US women re-make case for equal pay on White House visit
March 25 – On what was dubbed ‘Equal Pay Day’, members of the US national women’s team met president Joe Biden Wednesday and expressed their ongoing concern over their wage discrimination battle with the US Soccer Federation that has plagued both parties.
Women’s Super League agrees landmark BBC-Sky TV deal
March 23 – English women’s football has struck a ground-breaking deal reported to be worth around £24 million with Sky Sports and the BBC that will include up to 18 Women’s Super League matches per season being shown on the latter, the first time the league will be screened live to free-to-air channels.
Leaders warn that as women’s game returns more needs to be done
By Paul Nicholson
March 11 – Women should not be left out of football’s rebuilding programme and that although positive steps have been taken by men for the women’s game, more can be done. These were two clear messages coming out of the just concluded Female Leadership webinars organised by sports integrity body SIGA.
Expanding NWSL to open with Challenge Cup in April
March 10 – The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) will kick off its 2021 season with the NWSL Challenge Cup April 9.