WSL Football reports £8.2m loss in first accounts

WSL Football has reported an operating loss of £8.2m on revenue of £17.4m in its first published set of financial results, covering the year ending 31 July 2025. The club-owned organisation said the accounts reflect its first year of standalone operations running the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays WSL2, alongside the League Cup and a PGA competition, after transitioning away from Football Association support. Chief executive Nikki Doucet said: “We are at the beginning of a long-term growth journey, underpinned by a clear strategic vision and increased commercial platform."What we have achieved in a short space of time is remarkable and our prospects for the future are positive. We have established our foundation, and we are committed to continued investment into the game and our member clubs.” WSL Football said: “Before we formed, club distributions were supported by additional funding grants for Barclays WSL2 which is no longer the case, and we did not want that to decrease. "The result is an operating loss of £8.2m which was fully anticipated as an early-stage organisation committed to protecting and supporting as many clubs as possible during this growth stage.” Turnover was driven by broadcasting (£8.4m) and sponsorship and licensing (£8.5m), with other income of £128k including League Cup ticket sales, while WSL Football said increased rights fees and new deals with Nike, British Gas, Apple and Mercedes-Benz UK will be reflected in its 2025/26 accounts.Separately, the Guardian reported the accounts show a cash balance of £10.7m and that the organisation has begun drawing down on a £20m Premier League loan facility, with repayment not due to start until the 2030/31 season.