Women’s football is underrated and often dismissed (marginally by men) as a second-rated sport that doesn’t deserve the same recognition or exposure as the men’s game.
But not in my eyes. For me, it has become one of my main sports to follow and this year’s Euros has shown the growing interest in the women’s team which will hopefully transcend across all women’s sports going forward.
My work colleagues are yet to be convinced despite recalling the different matches me and my wife have attended, but I strongly believe women’s football is on the rise and more people should embrace the sport.
In a period of financial instability, women’s football not only provides high-quality entertainment but is only a fraction of the price.
The most expensive ticket to see Arsenal Women’s at the LV Bet Stadium is £15 – main stand, reserved seat purchased on match day – with a child or senior equivalent costing £7.50. A season ticket starts from £80.
For the men’s team, Arsenal (with the Emirates considered the most expensive stadium to attend in the Premier League) is charging an eye-watering £927 for their cheapest season ticket in the upcoming 2022/23 season. For a match day ticket, the most expensive – upper tier (centre upper back) category A – will cost an adult £99 and a young adult £74.25.
West Ham and Manchester City men’s teams are considered the two cheapest clubs ranging between £320-£325 for a season ticket, showing how much more affordable and inclusive the women’s games are.
My first women’s match was Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham in the summer of 2019 at London Stadium with my wife, where Spurs secured a 2-0 win. It was my first time visiting the stadium and my first taste of women’s football. I was hooked.
I next saw Tottenham at home against Arsenal ladies with my dad. It was the highest attendance for a women’s game with around 38,000 in attendance, unfortunately, this time they lost 2-0.
This summer the Euros have returned and England’s women will undoubtedly be hoping to emulate the men’s 2021 success, and dare I say go that extra mile and secure the European title.
Compared to previous tournaments this year has seen record figures and it’s unsurprising following the Lionesses’ astonishing 8-0 victory against Norway. It was my first women’s Euros and what a match to mark the occasion.
NEW: 📺 A peak television audience of 7.6 million tuned into BBC One last night to watch England v Spain.
— Molly Hudson (@M0lly_Writes) July 21, 2022
There were also 1.5 million streams across BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app for the game.
Like many Brits, I’ve fully immersed myself in the competition and even attend Germany v Spain during the group stages at Brentford Community Stadium, where the Germans won 2-0. The day was filled with fanfare and an overall great experience.
Tonight the Lionesses play Sweden for a place in the final and if they win, will either play Germany or France who go head-to-head tomorrow night.
During their quarter-final match against Spain, it was touch and go for England with Spain taking the lead, but thankfully England’s Ella Toone equalised just before the final whistle, before Georgia Stanway secured England the win in the 96th minute.
I would love for England to win Euro 2022 knowing how much it will help launch the women’s platform across the country.
But first, they have to win their semi-final and unfortunately, this is the stage they’ve fallen at in their last three major tournaments. It will also be a big ask to beat Sweden who denied the Lionesses a bronze medal in the 2019 World Cup, beating them 2-1.
But I have hope as this tournament the Lionesses have been incredible, with a clean sheet and 16 goals scored and only one conceded.
Even after the summer, I will still be following the women’s game on local as well as national levels and I hope many will follow suit.
