Women’s sport is consolidating as one of the areas with the greatest growth potential within the sports economy, according to the report Sports for People and Planet, published by the World Economic Forum. The document identifies the development of women’s sport as one of the factors expanding audiences, attracting investment and generating new revenue, in a context marked by the need to diversify the sector’s economic base.
The global sports economy already generates 2.3 trillion dollars annually and is projected to grow to 8.8 trillion by 2050, according to the World Economic Forum. Within this expanding market, revenues linked to women’s sport tripled between 2022 and 2025, reaching approximately 2.35 billion dollars, highlighting the growing financial scale of this subsector.
The report approaches this progress from a dual perspective: on the one hand, rising economic and financial interest in women’s leagues, clubs and competitions; on the other, the persistence of participation gaps that shape the social base underpinning that growth. Taken together, these elements show how women’s sport is moving towards a more solid model, while still facing structural constraints.
Structural barriers at the base of growth
Participation data included in the report show that women’s sports participation remains lower than men’s across several regions. In the European Union, women account for 37% of people who practise sport, while in the United States the figure is around 40%, and in Canada it reaches 45%. These figures point to a gap that directly affects the size of the potential market for women’s sport.
The report links these participation differences to structural barriers that influence access, continuity and visibility for women in sport. From an economic perspective, a smaller participation base limits the development of leagues, clubs and competitions, as well as the creation of stable audiences and related consumption, all of which are essential to sustaining medium- and long-term sector growth.
The economic growth of women’s teams
The economic progress of women’s sport is increasingly reflected in concrete valuations. According to the latest ranking published by Forbes, there are 25 women’s sports teams valued in nine figures, with a combined estimated value of 5.6 billion dollars and an average valuation of 224 million per franchise. These figures position women’s sport as a relevant economic asset within the global sports ecosystem.
The list is led by franchises from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), alongside European clubs from leagues such as those in England and Spain. Examples include the New York Liberty, valued at 400 million dollars, as well as the rapid valuation growth experienced by clubs such as the Washington Spirit.
The rising value of women’s sport is closely linked to the evolution of its business models. Forbes highlights the growing importance of media rights, with long-term agreements strengthening the financial stability of competitions. The WNBA, for instance, signed a media rights deal worth 2.2 billion dollars over 11 years, marking a turning point in the commercialisation of women’s sport. This is complemented by the entry of global sponsors and the development of dedicated infrastructure, such as purpose-built stadiums, which increase matchday revenues and enhance the fan experience.
Financial growth and structural limits
The report underlines that the economic growth of women’s sport coexists with an uneven structure in terms of participation and access. From an economic standpoint, consolidation will depend on the ability to expand that participation base and translate financial interest into structural development. Audience growth, professionalisation of competitions and revenue stability emerge as interdependent factors in this process.
The World Economic Forum places women’s sport among the areas with the highest growth potential within the global sports sector, while identifying participation as a key element in sustaining that progress. Valuation, investment and media rights figures point to a change of scale, while participation data highlight the scope that remains to turn that potential into more balanced growth.
