From Shadows to Spotlight: The Rise of Women’s Professional Football in England
Once relegated to the margins of sporting culture, women’s professional football in England has surged into the mainstream, rewriting the narrative of "the beautiful game." What began as a grassroots movement, suppressed by decades of neglect and outright bans, has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon, propelled by on-field success, growing investment, and a seismic shift in media attention. The Lionesses’ 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro triumph was a tipping point, but the story of this rise, and the press spotlight now illuminating it, is one of strength, revolution, and a game finally getting its due.
A History of Hurdles
Women’s football in England has deep roots, stretching back to the late 19th century when factory workers formed teams during World War I, drawing crowds that rivalled men’s matches. The Dick, Kerr Ladies F.C. famously attracted 53,000 fans in 1920, a figure that shamed many modern attendances. Yet, the Football Association saw this as a threat, banning women from its pitches in 1921 with the flimsy excuse that football was “unsuitable for females.” The ban lasted 50 years, leaving a scar on the game’s development that took decades to heal.
The Women’s Super League (WSL), was launched back in 2011 and fully professionalised by 2018, marking a turning point. Though it was the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory, watched by 17.4 million on BBC One that catapulted women’s football into the national psyche. Suddenly, the game wasn’t just a sideshow; it was a spectacle demanding attention.
The Media Explosion
The press and media spotlight on women’s football has grown exponentially, illustrating its on-pitch rise. Pre-2015, coverage was sporadic often patronising or outright dismissive. A Durham University study found a sixfold increase in English newspaper articles between the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups, with front-page reveals jumping from seven to 22. By 2022, the tone had shifted: gone were the sexist jibes about “girls playing a man’s game,” replaced by analysis of skill, tactics, and athleticism. Language once reserved for the men’s game.
Broadcasters have piled in. The FA’s 2021 deal with Sky Sports and the BBC to air WSL matches brought live games to millions, with viewership spiking with 11.7 million tuned in for England’s 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to the USA. Social media has amplified this further, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson boasts over 700,000 Instagram followers, while Alessia Russo’s highlights rack up millions of views on TikTok. The press isn’t just reporting; it’s celebrating, thinking about tabloid spreads on Chloe Kelly’s shirt-off celebration at Wembley or broadsheet profiles of Sarina Wiegman’s tactical genius.
This isn’t a flash in the pan. Barclays’ £20 million-plus investment in the WSL, alongside sponsors like Vitality and Nike, has fuelled glossy campaigns and primetime slots. The 2023-24 season saw average WSL attendances hit 4,000-plus, with Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham in December 2024 drawing 59,000 at the Emirates, a figure that would’ve been unthinkable a decade ago.
Why Now?
Several forces have converged. First, success breeds interest. The Lionesses’ Euro win, followed by a World Cup final run in 2023, gave the media a compelling story… England as a footballing powerhouse, male or female. Second, societal shifts toward gender equality have pressured outlets to ditch outdated tropes. Fans interviewed in studies say this coverage challenges sexism, turning sceptics into supporters. Third, money talks. The WSL’s global broadcast deals reaching Mexico, Scandinavia, and beyond signal a commercial steamroller too big to ignore.
Yet, the limelight isn’t without shadows. Critics argue the media still lags behind the men’s game in depth and consistency. While big matches get wall-to-wall coverage, mid-table clashes or Championship games (the WSL’s second tier) often go unnoticed. And for every glowing profile, there’s a lingering “no one cares” comment online, proof that cultural acceptance isn’t universal.
The Ripple Effect
This media surge is reshaping the game itself. Grassroots participation has exploded with over 1.9 million women and girls now participating in England, per FA data, doubling in less than a decade. Young players like Arsenal’s 19-year-old starlet Kyra Cooney-Cross quote WSL coverage as inspiration, while academies report record sign-ups. The press spotlight has also amplified calls for equity, equal pay debates, that were once whispers, are now headlines, with players like Beth Mead openly questioning disparities.
Clubs are adapting too. Manchester City and Chelsea host women’s games at their main stadiums, leveraging media noise to pack stands. But it’s not all rosy, smaller clubs like Reading, relegated in 2023, struggle to keep up, highlighting a financial gap the spotlight hasn’t yet closed.
The Future in Focus
As of today, women’s football in England stands at a crossroads. The WSL is contemplating bold moves like pausing relegation to boost growth, a controversial idea splitting fans and pundits alike. Meanwhile, the 2025-26 season looms with promises of even bigger broadcast deals and international eyes ahead of the 2027 World Cup. The media’s role will be pivotal, will it sustain this momentum, or retreat when the next glossy story beckons?
One thing’s clear, the rise of women’s professional football isn’t just a trend: it’s a transformation. From banned pioneers to primetime heroes, the game has fought for its place in the sun. Now, with the press shining brighter than ever, it’s not just surviving, it’s thriving. The question is no longer if women’s football matters, but how far it can go.
