WSL Revenue sees a huge surge in 2023-24 despite fan attendance dropping | OneFootball

Revenue for the Women’s Super League (WSL) has taken yet another surge in 2023-24, even though average attendances across the country took a drop.

WSL revenue rises again

For the first time in league history, every cub in the WSL was able to generate over £1million in revenue during the 2023-24 season, marking yet another incredible milestone in the progression of Women’s football.

The Deloitte Sports Business Group produced findings at the end of the campaign which showed revenue surging up from £48m in 2022-23 to a staggering £65m in the season after.

Commercial revenue spiking played a big part in the growth, with a huge 53% increase responsible for 40% of clubs’ total revenue in the league last year.

“Women’s football in England is evolving rapidly,” said Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group. “While challenges remain, it is clear there is potential for a passionate and engaged fanbase to drive the game’s development.

“Capitalising on major international tournaments is important at specific points in time, but sustainable growth hinges on the domestic league’s organic development.”

The bigger clubs in the league played a major role in an increase in money for the WSL last season with Arsenal (15.3m), Chelsea (£11.5m), Manchester United (£9.2m) and Manchester City (£6.6m) largely responsible for the league’s financial success over the past two years.

Arsenal continued to build bridges for Women in football throughout the 2023-24 season as they set a record for the highest attendance in a WSL game, with 60,050 fans watching on at the Emirates Stadium as they beat North London Rivals Tottenham 1-0.

Attendances down despite revenue surge

Smaller clubs also played an important role in a successful season for the WSL in 2023-24, with the league’s matchday revenue rising to £12m largely thanks to a 31% bump in average attendances.

However the sudden boom in popularity for the WSL did reach a small halt shortly after the Women’s World Cup in 2023, with average attendances in the WSL dropping markedly by 10%, with just 6,642 people coming down to games as league average.

With another major international tournament coming up this summer, the hopes are high for the WSL going into the 2025-26 campaign especially with the Lionesses on the hunt to retain their Euro 2022 title.