Chelsea’s dominance in the Women’s Super League (WSL) continues, having secured the title for the past six seasons.
Record-breaking revenue growth marks the 2023-24 WSL season.
WSL clubs collectively generated £65 million in revenue, a remarkable 34% surge from the previous season. This represents a significant milestone, with each of the twelve clubs exceeding £1 million in revenue for the first time.
Deloitte Sports Business Group analysis reveals this growth, highlighting a jump from £48 million in 2022-23 to £65 million in 2023-24.
This increase is primarily attributed to a 53% rise in commercial revenue, now comprising 40% of total revenue.
Four clubs—Arsenal (£15.3m), Chelsea (£11.5m), Manchester United (£9.2m), and Manchester City (£6.6m)—significantly contributed to this growth, accounting for two-thirds of the league’s total revenue.
Matchday revenue also saw substantial growth, increasing by 73% to £12m, fueled by a 31% rise in average league attendance.
The success of the 2023-24 season followed England’s run to the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
However, the subsequent season experienced a 10% decrease in average attendance (to 6,642), possibly due to the absence of major international competitions to draw attention to the domestic league.
Despite the revenue increase, combined pre-tax losses for WSL clubs rose to £28m, up from £21m in 2022-23.
Deloitte projects league-wide revenue to surpass £100m by the end of the 2025-26 season, boosted by the upcoming European Championships in Switzerland.
“Women’s football in England is experiencing rapid evolution,” stated Tim Bridge, lead partner at Deloitte Sports Business Group.
“While challenges persist, the potential for a passionate fanbase to drive growth is evident.
“Leveraging major international tournaments is crucial, but sustainable growth relies on the domestic league’s organic development.”
Bridge emphasized that maintaining “competitive balance” is paramount for long-term WSL growth, given the widening gap between high and low-earning clubs.
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