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As part of its strategy to grow women’s football across Europe, UEFA has released a six-year plan called Unstoppable. The strategy seeks to make football “the most-played team sport for women and girls in every European country,” while also increasing the number of pro leagues across the continent.
“Women’s football in Europe has become a sport for the masses, attracting an ever-growing and diverse fan base and partners that wholeheartedly contribute to its growth,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA managing director of women’s football. “It is our promise to keep investing and collectively lead the game forward, with all European national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans and partners part of our journey – because women’s football is Unstoppable.”
Viewership and revenue numbers are up for women’s football, with the Women’s Euro final in London attracted a staggering 50 million viewers. However, UEFA’s latest report shows only 1.6 million registered players, despite a 2024 goal to attract 2.5 million registered players. Therefore, the organization identified the need for training to foster “quality players, coaches and referees” to reach and exceed this number by 2025.
Between 2024 and 2030, UEFA will commit €1bn of competition revenue and UEFA investment to women’s football initiatives, supporting national grassroots associations and development projects. The plan seeks to nurture the next generation of players, coaches, referees, volunteers and fans following its successful launch of a new competition system and a minimum standards framework for national teams.
Unstoppable has four long-term goals to achieve by 2030:
- Developing football pathways for players, coaches and referees alongside grassroots opportunities to make football the most-played sport for women and girls in Europe.
- Help create six professional women’s leagues, up from the current three, and raise the number of professional women players across the continent from 3,000 to 5,000.
- Make women’s football the most sustainable and investable sport with record-breaking UEFA competitions.
- Ensure women’s football is celebrated for its unique values and community.
Top stars including Aitana Bonmati, Giulia Gwinn, Ada Hegerberg and Lauren James have already lent their support to Unstoppable, alongside former England international Jill Scott and leading Swedish referee, Tess Olofsson.
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