The legacy of Euro '25 for UEFA: global impact on football

Context

Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA, underlined the importance of the legacy left by the Women's EURO 2025, highlighting how this tournament has had a significant impact not only on professional football, but also on grassroots football. Her vision for the future of women's football is clear: to create opportunities and spaces for young players, thus contributing to lasting change in the European sporting landscape.

Why it matters

The Women's EURO 2025 represented a turning point for women's football, not only in terms of attendance and sponsorships, but also for the social and cultural impact it had in Europe. The legacy of this tournament, as underlined by Aleksander Čeferin, is destined to endure, influencing new generations of footballers and fans. This event helped consolidate women's football as a fundamental part of the European sporting landscape.

Key points

  • The legacy of Euro '25 for UEFA: global impact on football.
  • The Women's EURO 2025 has had a significant impact on women's football, increasing attendance, sponsorship and participation, and has left a lasting legacy in Europe.
  • The legacy of Euro '25 for UEFA: global impact on professional and grassroots football.
One year after the conclusion of the tournament, UEFA has released a detailed report on the impact of the Women's EURO 2025. This event represented a real turning point for women's football, managing to exceed all expectations in terms of attendance, television audience and digital engagement. The tournament attracted unprecedented sponsorship and hosted major events, not only on the field, but also in the community, contributing substantially to the growth of the sport across Europe. The report highlights how Women's EURO 2025 is driving lasting change, with data showing economic impact, increased attendance, grassroots participation and professional development. “The legacy of UEFA Women's EURO 2025 is not an isolated episode, but something alive and concrete for every girl who joins a team, for every coach who opens up new opportunities and for every fan who returns to cheer,” said Aleksander Čeferin, president of UEFA. “Even after the final whistle, the tournament continues to leave its mark on communities and the future of women's football.” The report highlights that the success of the Women's EURO 2025 has given impetus to the 'Unstoppable' initiative, a six-year strategy to build a sustainable future for women's football. Nadine Kessler, UEFA's director of women's football, explained: "This tournament has shown that wherever we create a space for women's football, the public will flock." The public response was extraordinary, with 657,291 spectators attending the matches, marking an increase of 14% compared to the previous edition. Although Swiss stadiums had a lower capacity than those used in 2022, they recorded six of the ten highest attendances in the tournament's history, with an average attendance of 21,203 spectators per match. The tournament also contributed to a significant boost to the local economy, generating 205 million Swiss francs (around 220 million euros) thanks to unprecedented interest from spectators and enormous tourist demand. Image The host cities benefited from spending of 71 million francs (76 million euros) by visitors, with a notable increase in spending in restaurants and on entertainment. Additionally, organizing the tournament supported nearly 2,300 full-time equivalent jobs across Switzerland. A key aspect of the success was also the quality of the fan experience, which included affordable ticket prices and engaging initiatives in the host cities. This has led to a positive change in the perception of women's football, with 86% of fans present intending to continue following the sport. With a global audience exceeding 500 million viewers, the Women's EURO 2025 was the most watched edition in the tournament's history. This momentum has already started to have positive effects at national league level, with a 42% growth in attendance for the Swiss Women's Super League on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 season. The Swiss Football Federation (SFA) was able to capitalize on the enthusiasm generated by the tournament, achieving historic records in female participation in grassroots football. Additionally, 83% of residents in host cities said they were proud to have hosted the tournament, highlighting the positive impact on the local community. Finally, the Women's EURO 2025 also stood out for its commitment to sustainability, with over 86% of spectators using sustainable means of transport to reach the stadiums. With all this, the tournament demonstrated the growing commercial maturity of women's football, setting the stage for the Women's EURO 2029 in Germany, where it is hoped to further raise the profile of the sport.

What happens now

With the success of the Women's EURO 2025, UEFA plans to continue investing in women's football through initiatives such as 'Unstoppable', aimed at ensuring a sustainable future for the sport. Growing participation and interest could lead to further investment and sponsorship, aiding the development of talent and infrastructure. Furthermore, future events are expected to continue to build on this legacy, promoting women's football globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What emerged from the UEFA report on Women's EURO 2025?

The report highlighted the positive impact of the Women's EURO 2025 on women's football, with an increase in attendance, TV audiences and digital engagement.

Who confirmed the importance of the Women's EURO 2025?

Aleksander Čeferin, president of UEFA, confirmed the importance of the tournament, underlining its lasting impact on communities and the future of women's football.

Why is the Women's EURO 2025 important now?

The Women's EURO 2025 matters now because it has initiated lasting change in women's football, contributing to economic growth and participation at grassroots level.

What changes did the Women's EURO 2025 bring?

The tournament led to an increase in sponsorships, participation in grassroots football and boosted the 'Unstoppable' initiative for a sustainable future of women's football.

What was the public response to the Women's EURO 2025?

The response from the public was extraordinary, with 657,291 spectators attending the matches, marking an increase of 14% compared to the previous edition.

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