Women's football: the major competitions explained

Women's football is one of the fastest-growing parts of the sport, with record crowds and TV audiences. Here's a guide to the competitions that matter most.

The FIFA Women's World Cup

The pinnacle of the international game, held every four years. The tournament has expanded with the sport — the 2023 edition featured 32 teams for the first time and was won by Spain. Like the men's event, it's the competition every nation builds toward.

Continental championships

Each confederation crowns a continental champion between World Cups, the most prominent being the UEFA Women's Euro in Europe. These tournaments have become major events in their own right, regularly setting attendance records.

The Women's Champions League

At club level, the UEFA Women's Champions League brings together the best teams in Europe, mirroring the men's competition with a group stage and knockout rounds. It has become the stage where the continent's strongest clubs and biggest stars meet.

The top domestic leagues

Professional leagues anchor the club game, including:

• WSL — the Women's Super League in England
• NWSL — the National Women's Soccer League in the United States
• Liga F — Spain's top women's division
• Strong leagues in France, Germany and beyond

These competitions have driven full-time professionalism, rising transfer activity and growing investment.

The Olympics

Women's football is also a marquee event at the Summer Olympics, where national teams compete for gold — a tournament that carries huge prestige, particularly for nations outside Europe.

A game on the rise

Bigger tournaments, packed stadiums and record broadcast deals have transformed the women's game in a few short years — and the momentum shows no sign of slowing. Follow football from across the world game on our home page.