Nielsen report: Women’s football to enter global top 5 sports

According to a recent Nielsen Sports report in collaboration with PepsiCo, women’s football is predicted to become one of the world’s top five sports by 2030 — with a global fan base projected to reach over 800 million people.

Samantha Lamberti, managing director of Nielsen Sports International, emphasizes that women’s football development has surpassed mere future potential.

“We have long believed in the potential of women’s football, and today, we’re no longer just tracking progress, we’re witnessing a breakthrough,” states Lamberti.

The sport’s growth is marked by several key achievements:

• 30% increase in global broadcast audience for major tournaments
• Tripling of sponsorship deal values
• Projection of 60% female fan base composition
• Women expected to control 75% of household purchasing decisions

Growth momentum is evident across regions — China recording 186 million new fans, followed by Brazil and India. Participation rates have also risen significantly, with China experiencing a 300% increase, France 150%, and Spain 95% over the past six years.