All posts by 234Radio

According to a study by Deloitte, Arsenal generated the most money of any women’s football team in 2025.

With revenues of £21.5 million, an increase of 43% over those of 2024, the 2025 Champions League winners moved from second to first.

Chelsea, the reigning champions of the Treble, also capitalized on a successful year to move into third place, surpassing Barcelona and last year’s leaders Arsenal, with revenue of £21.3 million.

The top 15 clubs made a record sum of £33.2 million overall, up 35.5% over the previous year.

English clubs are the top 15 for the second consecutive year, with eight Women’s Super League clubs in the top 15.

One of the reasons 2025 was a profitable year for the club is the memorable Champions League victory over Barcelona as one of the highlights of the club’s year.

The Gunners have spent the most time understanding their fan base, topping 35, 000 on five separate occasions as the most popular team in the Women’s Super League.

They’ve also implemented tiered pricing to encourage repeat visitors, which means they can get the highest matchday revenue at each of the 15 clubs.

Chelsea, a WSL rival, increased revenue by 90% in 2024, but that’s not the biggest increase. That was primarily driven by generating more than any other side examined in terms of commercial revenue, or £16 million.

Barcelona did not lose that European final, but they did win the same domestic triple.

Jennifer Haskel, the head of Deloitte’s knowledge and insight division, claimed that both creativity and how clubs are meeting the needs of their aspiring fanbases are to blame for the increase in revenue in the women’s game.

With new and expanded brand partnerships, new ticketing strategies, and a commitment to truly understanding the changing fanbase, she said, “the women’s game is beginning to carve its own path.”

Haskel did observe less impressive growth for the clubs further down the list, despite Deloitte’s figures showing strong growth for the most prosperous clubs.

All eight WSL clubs from last season are still in the top 15, but Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal all saw slower growth in 2025.

In fact, the top three clubs’ revenues alone account for 46% of the total 15, with Everton actually earning less than they did in 2024.

There is a significant gap forming between the top-ranked clubs and the rest of the pack, Haskel said as average revenues reach new highs.

Similar to how 13 of the top 15 clubs from 2024 appear on this list, which demonstrates that the teams are still performing well in order to maintain their position?

Bayern Munich, a powerhouse in Europe, whose revenue increased from £3 million in 2024 to £6 million in 2025, is the list’s biggest earner.

Manchester City, Manchester United, and Paris St-Germain, who were all added to the list this year, were competing in the inaugural World Sevens Football competition last May, which contributed to their success.

Haskel argued that these innovations are essential in the push to expand the women’s game because commercial venture revenues account for nearly three-quarters of the overall growth rate (72%).

She said, “The transition requires consistent time, effort, and investment, from the beginning to the established phase of women’s football.”

BBC Sport women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders

Arsenal’s increased revenue may have been attributable to their creative and creative approach to increasing attendance.

Arsenal are the most popular club in the WSL and have been a force for some time, with an average attendance of 36, 000 fans at Emirates Stadium this year.

They have been conducting workshops with supporters this season on how to improve matchday experiences, including ideas for the best way to promote the stadium’s music before kick-off, banners and tifos for the ground, and improvements to baby changing room amenities.

Eight Arsenal players, including club-record signing Olivia Smith, and 13 other outside musicians in music and design have been present at 11 of these consultation events so far.

Evidence of the workshops can be seen in a video that was broadcast on the big screen at Emirates as the players leave before games, as well as in the new mural for life supporter Marie Petri, who passed away in 2022.

The club has been aiming for a “grass roots atmosphere,” creating a unique, community-feel match-day experience despite findings from its research that showed there was a 25% overlap in support between the men’s and women’s teams.

Arsenal generated the most revenue of any women’s football club in 2025, according to analysis by Deloitte.

The 2025 Champions League winners moved from second to first with revenue of £21.5m – an increase of 43% on 2024.

Treble winners Chelsea also cashed in on a successful year to be placed just behind Arsenal with revenue of £21.3m, and pushing last year’s leaders Barcelona into third.

In total, the top 15 clubs generated a record £132.8m – up 35.5% on the previous 12 months.

English clubs dominate for a second consecutive year, with eight Women’s Super League sides in the top 15.

Arsenal’s memorable win over Barcelona in the Champions League final is only one of the reasons 2025 was a profitable year for the club.

The Gunners have invested in understanding their fanbase and were the most well-attended team in the Women’s Super League – topping 35,000 on five separate occasions.

They have also introduced tiered pricing to encourage repeat attendance – helping them achieve the highest matchday revenue across all 15 clubs.

WSL rivals Chelsea had the biggest increase in revenue, though – up 90% on 2024. That was powered mostly by generating £16m in commercial revenue alone – more than any other side analysed.

Similarly, while Barcelona did lose that European final, they still completed a domestic treble in Spain.

Deloitte’s knowledge and insight lead, Jennifer Haskel, said the increasing revenue in the women’s game was down to both creativity and how clubs are meeting the needs of their emerging fanbases.

“The women’s game is beginning to carve its own path with new and expanded brand partnerships, new ticketing strategies, and dedication to truly understanding the evolving fanbase,” she said.

While Deloitte’s figures show strong numbers for the most successful clubs, Haskel did note less impressive growth for the clubs lower down the list.

The eight WSL clubs from last season remain in the top 15, but all bar Manchester City experienced slower growth than both Arsenal and Chelsea in 2025.

Indeed, the revenue produced by the top three clubs alone make up 46% of the entire 15, with Everton actually making less than they managed in 2024.

“As average revenues reach a new high, there is a meaningful gap forming between the top ranked clubs and the rest of the pack,” Haskel said.

Similarly, while the fact 13 of the top 15 clubs from 2024 feature in this list demonstrates the teams are performing well to maintain their position, could it also hint at a lack of competition beyond those at the pinnacle of the women’s game?

The biggest riser in the list is European powerhouse Bayern Munich, whose revenue doubled from £3m in 2024 to £6m in 2025.

Part of their success can be attributed to winning the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament last May, where they competed alongside Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris St-Germain – a new inclusion on this year’s list.

Haskel said such tournaments are vital innovations in the push to further grow the women’s game as revenues from commercial ventures make up almost three quarters of all growth figures (72%).

“The shift from start-up phase to established phase in women’s football requires consistent time, investment and effort,” she said.

Emma Sanders, BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Arsenal’s revenue increase has been in some part down to their creativity and innovation to grow attendances.

With an average attendance of 36,000 at Emirates Stadium this season, Arsenal are the best supported club in the WSL and have led the way for some time.

This season they have been carrying out workshops with supporters on how to improve matchday experiences, discussing a range of things such as the music playlist before kick-off, banners and tifos for the ground and improvements to baby changing room facilities.

So far, 11 of these consultation events have taken place with eight Arsenal players attending them, including club-record signing Olivia Smith, plus 13 external artists in music and design.

Evidence of the workshops was in the new mural created for lifetime supporter Marie Petri, who died at the age of 83 in 2022, and in a video shown on the big screen at the Emirates as the players walk out before games.

Research from the club showed that there was an overlap of support between the men’s and women’s teams of 25% but they have been targeting a ‘grassroots atmosphere’, hoping to provide a unique, community-feel match-day experience.

According to a study by Deloitte, Arsenal generated the most money of any women’s football team in 2025.

With revenues of £21.5 million, an increase of 43% over those of 2024, the 2025 Champions League winners moved from second to first.

Chelsea, the reigning champions of the Treble, also capitalized on a successful year to move into third place, surpassing Barcelona and last year’s leaders Arsenal, with revenue of £21.3 million.

The top 15 clubs made a record sum of £33.2 million overall, up 35.5% over the previous year.

English clubs are the top 15 for the second consecutive year, with eight Women’s Super League clubs in the top 15.

One of the reasons 2025 was a profitable year for the club is the memorable Champions League victory over Barcelona as one of the highlights of the club’s year.

The Gunners have spent the most time understanding their fan base, topping 35, 000 on five separate occasions as the most popular team in the Women’s Super League.

They’ve also implemented tiered pricing to encourage repeat visitors, which means they can get the highest matchday revenue at each of the 15 clubs.

Chelsea, a WSL rival, increased revenue by 90% in 2024, but that’s not the biggest increase. That was primarily driven by generating more than any other side examined in terms of commercial revenue, or £16 million.

Barcelona did not lose that European final, but they did win the same domestic triple.

Jennifer Haskel, the head of Deloitte’s knowledge and insight division, claimed that both creativity and how clubs are meeting the needs of their aspiring fanbases are to blame for the increase in revenue in the women’s game.

With new and expanded brand partnerships, new ticketing strategies, and a commitment to truly understanding the changing fanbase, she said, “the women’s game is beginning to carve its own path.”

Haskel did observe less impressive growth for the clubs further down the list, despite Deloitte’s figures showing strong growth for the most prosperous clubs.

All eight WSL clubs from last season are still in the top 15, but Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal all saw slower growth in 2025.

In fact, the top three clubs’ revenues alone account for 46% of the total 15, with Everton actually earning less than they did in 2024.

There is a significant gap forming between the top-ranked clubs and the rest of the pack, Haskel said as average revenues reach new highs.

Similar to how 13 of the top 15 clubs from 2024 appear on this list, which demonstrates that the teams are still performing well in order to maintain their position?

Bayern Munich, a powerhouse in Europe, whose revenue increased from £3 million in 2024 to £6 million in 2025, is the list’s biggest earner.

Manchester City, Manchester United, and Paris St-Germain, who were all added to the list this year, were competing in the inaugural World Sevens Football competition last May, which contributed to their success.

Haskel argued that these innovations are essential in the push to expand the women’s game because commercial venture revenues account for nearly three-quarters of the overall growth rate (72%).

She said, “The transition requires consistent time, effort, and investment, from the beginning to the established phase of women’s football.”

Once more, Sadio Mane was Senegal’s hero, but not for the reasons you might have thought.

The Teranga Lions defeated host nation Morocco in a final rife with controversy on Sunday, earning the forward’s second Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.

After Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 98th minute when defender El Hadji Malick Diouf brought down Brahim Diaz, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw attempted to usurp him from the field in stoppage time.

Mane was pictured entering the changing areas and then helping to bring the Senegalese players back onto the field with the assistance of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as they were back in the changing rooms.

Diaz’s Panenka penalty was easily caught by Mendy in a nightmare for one of the tournament’s stars about 16 minutes after the spot-kick was awarded.

The game ended at 0-0 with extra time. A dramatic title was secured by Pape Gueye’s rocket-winning effort.

Mane, who has stated that this will be his final competition, emerges as a leader after receiving the captain’s armband from his team-mates prior to the trophy being taken home.

The world was watching football, he said, and because the world enjoys football, we must create a positive image for it.

What, the referee gave a penalty, and we leave the game, would make me think it’s crazy to not play this game? That would be the worst, in my opinion, especially in African football. I’d rather see our football lose than something like that.

“I believe it to be really bad. What can we do if football is not allowed to stop for even ten minutes? The good news is that we returned, played the game, and what transpired, we must accept that.

Former Nigerian international Daniel Amokachi remarked to BBC World Service, “Mane went the extra mile to win his team back, and it has paid off.

What a football ambassador he is. He is a person we are familiar with off the field, and we are aware of what football is all about.

Before Mane intervened, former Morocco international Hassan Kachloul said, “Africa football and the world football were losing.”

Sadio Mane, the only player from the Senegalese team, is what I like most, he told E4.

For Mane, Bambali was the beginning.

He first started playing football in South-West Senegal when, aged 13, he watched Liverpool’s famous comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final on its red earth-lined streets and sandy pitches.

He has since won the prestigious trophy and the Premier League with the Reds, as well as two Afcon titles with the Teranga Lions.

In the 2021 edition’s final, Mane scored the winning penalty and described it as “the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life.”

Following that victory, Sedhiou, a stadium in the city of Sedhiou was named in honor of him in recognition of his accomplishments.

Mane, 33 years old and a two-time champion, has had the best of his Afcon career thus far.

Gueye claims that the team’s goal is to persuade Mane, who he described as “a legend of Senegal,” to reconsider and allow him to attend his final Afcon in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda until at least the 2027 edition.

The 26-year-old Villarreal man told BBC Afrique, “We’re going to try to keep him with us a little longer because he still has some great years to give.”

Mane may have a glitzy trophy cabinet, but he has never forgotten his roots. He is currently working for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

He made a million dollars in Bambali through his charitable acts, including giving money to build mosques, hospitals, and funds to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory in the 2018 Champions League final, he also sent 300 Liverpool shirts to his hometown.

On a recent visit to the village, Folio Boucar Dahaba, the president of a regional league, told BBC Sport Africa, “Sadio comes here, he behaves very humbly, on a level with the people in Bambali.”

He doesn’t want to appear distinctive. He receives all this love back from the village.

He is “working for everyone” and a “good Muslim,” according to his family.

When he assisted in the cleaning of the bathrooms at a mosque in Toxteth following a Liverpool victory, that was immediately apparent during his time in the top flight.

The imam at Al Rahma Mosque, Abu Usamah Al-Tahabi, said, “He wanted to stay quiet and wasn’t doing it for publicity.”

He doesn’t seek fanfare, he says. There is no haughtiness.

In the run-up to the final, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhate praised Mane as “an incredible man.”

Mane has over 120 caps and has scored 53 goals for his nation.

He intends to play at the World Cup later this year, where more wonderful memories could be made, because he has so frequently been the hero on the pitch in recent years.

In the first half of the 2021 Afcon final, he saved an early penalty kick, but he stepped up once more to decide the match with Egypt in Yaounde.

He also handled the 2022 Fifa World Cup play-off against the Pharaohs in the same manner, though he ultimately missed out on the tournament in Qatar due to injury.

Although he hasn’t been particularly creative at the Afcon finals this year, his 78th-minute strike against Egypt, who were once more gifted with Mane’s magic, was enough to place the Teranga Lions in the final.

Idrissa Gana Gueye, who made a decisive move to Tangier on Wednesday, told the BBC World Service, “That’s what we expect from him.”

Mane may not be Senegal’s captain and may speak with a modest demeanor, but his teammates will take note.

He motivated everyone in his pre-game speech before playing Egypt, according to Papagei.

He spoke the right way to ensure that we had full concentration before the match.

He also has the knowledge of “big matches,” according to the author. He instructs us to remain calm, even after we score or if we concede a goal, which you can see clearly in his gestures.

Mane won the majority of his international caps under Aliou Cisse, who led the West Africans from 2015 to 2024, but it is understandable that Pape Thiaw wants his talisman to continue playing for the nation.

“I think he made his decision in the heat of the moment, and I as the national team’s coach do not at all agree,” Thiaw said.