Photo by Wikimedia, CC by 2.0
Women’s sport is on the rise across the world and the next step is getting fans into grounds to watch them play. Here are nine examples of women’s sports matches attracting more than their fair share of punters.
9 – Atletico Madrid 0-2 Barcelona – 17/03/19 – 60,739
Over 60,000 packed into the Wanda Metropolitano to watch Atletico Madrid v Barcelona in what was a pivotal match at the top of the table.
The two dominant forces of Spanish women’s football came together but it was Barca who emerged on top thanks to two second-half goals.
Asisat Oshoala gave the visitors the lead midway through the second half, silencing the noisy home support in the process.
England forward Toni Duggan wrapped the game up with ten minutes to go as Atletico had their second defeat of the season inflicted upon them – the other also being by Barca.
The hosts had the last laugh though – they would go on to win the title by six points.
8 – England 1-2 Germany – 09/11/19 – 77,768
England’s women captured the imagination during the World Cup of 2019, when they narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a defeat by the USA.
Nevertheless, that positive spirit was harnessed in the form of ticket sales as a near-full house saw Phil Neville’s side face Germany in a friendly.
However, it was to end in disappointment as England were turned over by Germany 2-1.
German skipper Alexandra Popp nodded in an eighth-minute opener which was cancelled out by Ellen White’s goal on the stroke of half-time – the striker continuing her great goalscoring form from the summer.
Klara Buhl’s last-minute winner though ensured the majority of the Wembley crowd would leave disappointed.
7 – USA 2-1 Japan – 09/08/12 – 80,203
The Olympic final at Wembley was attended by over 80,000 with the USA claiming their fourth gold medal following a narrow 2-1 win.
Carli Lloyd, a hero of women’s football stateside for many years was the match-winner yet again as she scored a goal in each half, as the US did enough to ensure the gold medals would be heading back across the pond.
Yuki Ogimi’s strike made it a tense finish but the USA held on.
6 – Australia v India – T20 World Cup final – 08/03/20 – 86,174
Cricket has also made big strides in attracting more women to the game and the Melbourne Cricket Ground was packed for the final against India.
The Aussies won the toss and elected to bat first and Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney’s opening partnership of 115 proved crucial with Healy smashing 75, while Mooney would go on to finish unbeaten on 78.
It left India with a lot to do in their innings and four wickets from Megan Schutt ensured they didn’t have enough in response.
Ultimately, it was a fifth T20 title for the home side who are the dominant force in women’s cricket.
5 – England vs Germany – 31/06/22 – 87,192
Over 87,000 spectators witnessed England face Germany in the 2022 European Championship final at Wembley, setting a new attendance record in the tournament’s history, men’s or women’s.
It’s a significant jump on the 67,713 spectators at Wembley for the men’s Euro 2020 final against Italy, and the 65,600 who saw England play Spain in the 2024 final in Berlin.
The Three Lionesses did not disappoint the majority of the crowd as they beat eight-time champions Germany to win the first major silverware in their history.
4 – USA 0-0 China – 10/07/99 – 90,185
The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California remains the venue for the highest attended women’s sporting fixture of all-time.
Sadly, after 120 minutes of a World Cup final, neither side managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a tense penalty shootout.
The USA came through to win 5-4 with China’s Liu Ying missing the only spot-kick.
It sparked wild celebrations and it was the USA’ second women’s World Cup, though they have since won two more.
3 – Barcelona vs Real Madrid – 29/03/22 – 91,553
History was made at Camp Nou as 91,553 fans watched Barcelona Femeni play Real Madrid in the 2022 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. At that time, it was the record for the largest attendance in a women’s football match ever.
Spanish champions Barcelona put on a show for the record crowd, hammering their rivals 5-2 on and sealing an 8-3 aggregate victory to progress to the next round.
“This is just too crazy,” Barca Femeni star Caroline Graham Hansen said after the match. “If we are having fun, people will want to repeat it.”
Her prediction turned out to be right.
2 – Barcelona vs Wolfsburg – 08/03/20 – 91,648
Camp Nou broke its own record for a women’s football match, as 91,648 fans watched Barcelona demolish Wolfsburg in a 5-1 affair.
Alexia Putellas shone brightest, contributing one of four first-half goals before netting a late penalty to extend her Women’s Champions League-leading total to 10.
“We are very happy not just for the result but also for the atmosphere at the stadium. It is spectacular that we have set a new record,” Barcelona midfielder Patricia Guijarro said post-match.
“What happened today and a month ago has left us speechless. As the days or the years go by, we will understand better what has happened. Right now we have not completely grasped the magnitude of this experience,” she continued.
1 – Nebraska vs Omaha – 30/08/23 – 92,003
The only non-football entry in the list is the current world record holder for the highest women’s sporting events – an NCAA preseason volleyball game between Nebraska and Omaha in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The hosts beat Omaha 3-0 in front of a roaring Memorial Stadium crowd. Billed as “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” the match was months in the making for a programme and a state known for its love of the sport.
