Women’s football in England paving the way as another world record smashed

May 16, 2023

English women’s football once again made history on Sunday as the Women’s FA Cup Final set a new world record for the highest ever attendance at a domestic women’s club match.

Hosted at Wembley Stadium, 77,390 fans watched on as Chelsea’s Sam Kerr scored the only goal of the game, extinguishing opposition Manchester United’s hopes of a first major trophy, and delivering Kerr’s Chelsea team a third FA Cup title in a row.

Overcoming the previous world record of 60,739 set by Barcelona and Athletic Madrid at the iconic Camp Nou in 2019, this is just the latest in a year full of unprecedented attendances of the women’s game in England.

"I do think this is all part of the continued EURO bounce.” says Baroness Sue Campbell, FA director of Women’s Football speaking of the Lionesses’ victory at Euro 2022.

"Everyone had such an incredibly good time and they realised that what they were watching was world-class football and world-class sport.

"That bounce has just continued and I think people love the experience of coming to Wembley.”

It is not just Wembley that has seen the upturn. As of February 2023, WSL attendances were up on last year by 267%.  While this month, Arsenal Women’s Champions League semi-final clash against Wolfsburg saw a sold-out the Emirates stadium for the first time in their history, setting a record for a women’s club game in England.

With attendance records tumbling, the visibility of women’s football has never been greater, allowing more and more girls to be inspired to play football.

At UFA we continue to be committed to giving girls the opportunity. We provide girls only sessions and camps from ages 6 to 14, catering to all abilities and experience, so whether inspired to learn new skills and have fun with friends or dreaming of walking out to a full house at Wembley themselves, UFA are passionate about helping girls achieve their footballing goals whatever their inspiration.

"It’s another marker in the sand that the game in this country is now alive and well, flourishing and growing." Baroness Sue Campbell.

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Women’s football in England paving the way as another world record smashed