The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand proved to be a game-changer, breaking records and making significant strides for women’s football. With an expanded format, record-breaking attendance, and unprecedented global broadcast coverage, the tournament showcased the growing popularity and potential of the women’s game. However, there remain disparities in prize money that demand attention for true equality in football, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest  report, “Post-Event Analysis on the FIFA Women’s World 2023,” reveals the sponsorship, broadcasting, prize money and attendance breakdown of the tournament. With 150 different broadcasting deals, the ninth edition was the first to have more than one host nation and consisted of 32 teams instead of the previous 24.

Olivia Snooks, Associate Analyst of Sport Analysis at GlobalData, comments: “This year’s tournament saw more countries take part than ever before which created a greater reach across the globe. The peak audience which was seen in Australia is a promising statistic for women’s football as it proves interest and support the women’s national teams are receiving.”

The record attendance in five of the top eight matches in a FIFA Women’s World Cup is again an indication of the growing popularity of women’s football across the world. Highlights of the tournament included a sell-out crowd at Stadium Australia of 75,784 for the final of the World Cup between Spain and England and again for the Matilda’s opening game against Ireland, the round of 16 match and their semi-final defeat to the lionesses. Thus, it is not surprising that ticket sales rocketed to 1.4 million, a new record.

Snooks continues: “These statistics and the records broken during the tournament provide promising findings for the future of women’s football. There is always such expectation surrounding World Cups, including pressures of ticket sales. However, it is safe to say the tournament exceeded expectations.”

30 brands partnered with this year’s World Cup, including Visa, which became the first women’s soccer partner for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with the deal expected to total an estimated $10 million. Provided that the tournaments Annual Sponsorship Revenue estimated to total $307.92 million, this contributed to enabling a record prize money pool. However, there is still major discrepancies compared to the men.

Snooks concludes: “Despite the progress and the deserved success of the tournament, there are still major inconsistencies between the men and the women’s game. The gaps in prize money are something which must be addressed by FIFA for the game to keep progressing by aiming for equal opportunity and reward.”