WSL revenues soar in the 2023/24 season, but there are warnings we can’t ignore. The Women’s Super League is going from strength to strength as women’s football in England continues to grow and more money is coming in. Take a quick look at the stats, what’s driving the growth and where it goes from here.
🎯 TL: DR;
- WSL clubs smashed it! Total revenue hit £65 million in 2023/24—up 34% from the previous season.
- Every club crossed the £1 million mark for the first time—proof that the whole league is levelling up.
- Commercial and match‑day income are skyrocketing: +53% in sponsorships/commercial; +73% in match revenues.
- Average fan crowd rose by 31% to about 7,363 per game—more atmosphere, more income!
- Forecast alert: Deloitte expects WSL revenue to hit £100 million by 2025/26.
📈 The Story Behind the Stats
1. Earnings Boom
- Aggregate jump from £48 m to £65 m.
- Average per club: £5.4 m (up from £4.0 m).
- Top clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd & City) made 2/3 of the total 💷.
2. Commercial & Commercial Growth
- Sponsorship and commercial deals now make up 40% of league income — with 6 clubs over £1m in commercial revenue (up from 4), and three (Man U, Man City, Aston Villa) raking in over £4m each.
3. Matchday Magic
- Revenue from ticket sales soared from £7 m to £12 m—thanks to a 31% boost in attendance. Stones in the ground = pounds in the bank!
- Arsenal led the charge with £4.4 m match‑day revenue and nearly 30,000 crowd average.
4. Media Money on the Rise
- Broadcast revenue climbed by 40% to £10 m, accounting for 16% of all league income. With deals from Sky, BBC & YouTube in place, expect more media cash soon.
🌍 Why This Actually Matters
- Fans are turning up in droves, and brands are noticing. This isn’t just growth—it’s momentum.
- But there’s a catch: the rich clubs are pulling further ahead. Deloitte is asking the WSL to think about salary caps or cost controls to keep things competitive. (cityam.com)
- Meanwhile, across Europe, overall football revenue hit a staggering €38 billion, with the big five leagues accounting for over €20 billion. WSL’s surge is part of a pan‑football boom. (deloitte.com)
💡 The Really Cool Bit
This isn’t just numbers—it’s a cultural shift. WSL clubs are smartly packaging women’s football as a distinct product. They’re investing in fan experiences and building unique commercial stories. Deloitte’s warning? Keep that energy going—don’t get complacent or let the talent gap kill the excitement.
🎨 Visual Summary
| Category | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | % Growth |
| Total Revenue | UK £48 m | £65 m | +34% |
| Commercial Income | — | 40% share | +53% |
| Match‑day Income | £7 m | £12 m | +73% |
| Broadcast Income | — | £10 m | +40% |
| Average Crowd | — | 7,363 | +31% |
✔️ Final Thought The WSL is speeding into the big leagues, not just financially, but in influence. To avoid a two‑tier league, balancing investment with fairness and fan connection will be key. But if they carry on like this? We’re in for a thrilling ride 💥.