Bringing in more money to women’s football creates a positive cycle.
It generates funds for club improvements, player salaries, grassroots programs, and more, supporting the sport’s growth in the long run.
Big clubs will likely attract sponsors first, bringing in more investments and helping them compete with well-established women’s teams.
According to Deloitte Football Money League, the report consistently highlights revenue imbalances and emphasizes that working together can benefit everyone financially.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 richest women’s football clubs of 2023.
- Most Valuable Women’s Football Clubs
- The Disparity in Women’s Football
- A Virtuous Circle for Female Soccer
- The Role of Commercial Sponsors
- Collective Action for Growth
- Who are the richest female football clubs?
- Which female football club has the most trophies?
- Who is the most expensive women’s soccer player?
- Which is the women’s football in the world ?
- Who is the most successful female EPL team?
- Who is the most successful women’s Premier League team?
- Who will be the highest-paid female footballer in the world in 2023?
- Who is the best women’s football player in the world in 2023?
- Who is the female goat footballer?
- Who is the most successful women’s international team?
- Who is the most successful women’s football team in Europe?
- How much do female soccer players get paid?
Most Valuable Women’s Football Clubs
In 2023, 17 of those clubs had a women’s team in their country’s top league.
Among them, 15 shared financial info with Deloitte. The women’s teams had an average revenue of €2.4 million ($2.6 million) for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022.
This revenue includes money from games, TV deals, and sponsorships linked to the women’s team, excluding what the men’s team brings in.
Deloitte clarifies that the data is straight from the clubs and hasn’t been checked or audited.
Some of this money could come from player transfers, which Deloitte sees as a growing part of the women’s game’s money-making strategy.
FIFA stats show a big jump in fee-based transfers, going from 696 in 2018 to 1,304 in 2021.
| Club | Revenue (€ millions) |
|---|---|
| FC Barcelona | €7.7m |
| Manchester United | €6.0m |
| Manchester City | €5.1m |
| Paris Saint-Germain | €3.6m |
| Arsenal | €2.2m |
| Tottenham | €2.1m |
| Chelsea | €1.8m |
| Bayern Munich | €1.7m |
| Everton | €1.5m |
| Real Madrid | €1.4m |
| Liverpool | €1.2m |
| West Ham | €1.1m |
| Leicester City | €0.4m |
| Atlético de Madrid | €0.1m |
The Disparity in Women’s Football
While the leading clubs set financial records, there remains a significant disparity between women’s teams, even within the same league.
FC Barcelona’s remarkable earnings of €7.7 million are in stark contrast to their domestic counterparts, Atlético de Madrid, who generated only €0.1 million.
This disparity is not unique to Spain, as English giants Manchester United’s €6 million revenue far surpasses Leicester City’s €0.4 million, who only recently acquired an affiliate women’s team in 2020.
Historically successful clubs enjoy a greater ability to extract revenue from commercial sources and leverage their large club stadiums to attract larger crowds, further driving interest.
This inequality is expected given the nascent phase of growth in women’s football.
A Virtuous Circle for Female Soccer
The establishment of a virtuous circle is vital to the growth and sustainability of women’s football.
Drawing new revenues into the women’s game will generate the necessary investments for club infrastructure, player wages, grassroots initiatives, and more.
This influx of resources will support the continuous growth of women’s football, making it more competitive and attractive.
The Role of Commercial Sponsors
High-profile clubs initially attract commercial sponsors, and this plays a pivotal role in facilitating further investment.
As the women’s game continues to evolve, these sponsors will enable teams to compete with their more established peers, thus reducing the revenue gap in women’s football.
Collective Action for Growth
The women’s football industry is growing, reflecting the growth of the female game.
With a growing fan base and increased interest from sponsors and investors, women’s football is undergoing a significant transformation.
It is actively improving its infrastructure and creating new opportunities for female soccer players.
To address the revenue disparities in women’s football, there is a need for collective and collaborative efforts.
Leagues should concentrate on developing governance structures that promote a more level playing field for all teams, leading to exciting and intense matches that captivate fans throughout the season.
This might require a distinct approach tailored to women’s football, setting it apart from the male version.
FAQs
Who are the richest female football clubs?
FC Barcelona is the richest soccer club in the world as of 2023
Olympique Lyonnais Feminin (France) €6 million
Chelsea FC Women (England) €5.5 million
Manchester City FC Women (England) €5 million
Paris Saint-Germain Féminine (France)
Which female football club has the most trophies?
Lyon
Who is the most expensive women’s soccer player?
Keira Walsh
England star Keira Walsh holds the record as the most expensive female soccer player.
Which is the women’s football in the world ?
#1 Olympique Lyonnais Feminin
Lyon is arguably the best female football club in the world. They hold the record for most titles won both domestically and on the continent
Who is the most successful female EPL team?
Arsenal is statistically the most successful club in English women’s football, holding the records for most titles won in each domestic competition they have played in.
Who is the most successful women’s Premier League team?
Arsenal Women
The most successful club to grace English football, Arsenal Ladies have lifted a staggering 58 trophies in their 35-year history.
Who will be the highest-paid female footballer in the world in 2023?
Sam Kerr ($513,000) yearly.
Sam Kerr, Chelsea FC Women’s forward, currently holds the title of the highest-earning women’s soccer player.
Her annual income amounts to $525,000, which surpasses the previous highest earner, retired US player Carli Lloyd, who made over £432,000 per year before her retirement in August 2021.
Who is the best women’s football player in the world in 2023?
Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Winner of the Ballon d’Or for the last two seasons, as well as seven league titles and two Champions Leagues during her Barcelona career, Putellas is widely regarded as the world’s best female footballer
Who is the female goat footballer?
Marta
She’s seen as the greatest female soccer player. She scored 115 goals for Brazil’s women’s team and the same number at the club level.
Who is the most successful women’s international team?
The United States
The USWNT is the most successful nation at the Women’s World Cup with four titles, while Germany has won the tournament twice.
Who is the most successful women’s football team in Europe?
Lyon
French side Lyon holds the record with eight titles.
How much do female soccer players get paid?
The Women’s Super League (WSL) is England’s premier women’s football league, and players make an average of £25,000 to £27,000 annually.
Yet, just like the men, the big stars can pocket much more. For instance, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr reportedly rakes in an impressive £400,000 yearly, as per Metro.