October 4 – The FA has announced a licensing partnership with Panini to create the first ever UK domestic football sticker collection to celebrate the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Panini said that physical WSL stickers will be hitting shelves in December 2023.
Women’s football is showing huge fan growth with Barclays WSL matchday attendances up 170% in 2022/23 compared to the season before, and the Women’s World Cup 2023 further raising player profiles.
The WSL was the most represented professional women’s league at the Women’s World Cup 2023.
Panini stickers have been a staple in men’s football fan culture for decades, spiking in popularity in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup.
A first-of-its-kind product celebrating the women’s domestic game is expected to feature nearly 350 stickers, including the all-important ‘shinies’ for collectors to chase from all 12 Barclays WSL teams in the English topflight.
Collectors will be able to kick-start their sticker collection with a starter pack, which includes an album and five packets of stickers.
The FA’s Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell, said: “We are thrilled to announce our relationship with Panini, a brand that is synonymous with football worldwide.
“With fan experience key to everything we do, we are delighted that fans of the Barclays WSL will now be able to collect and trade stickers of their favourite players.”
Katie Gritt, Head of Marketing for Sport at Panini, added: “This is such a special moment for us at Panini, having the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the growth of the women’s game through the first ever Barclays Women’s Super League Official Sticker Collection.
“We are extremely proud of our longstanding relationship with The FA and our heritage in celebrating iconic moments through our collections, further cementing Panini in football history.
WSL action returns on Friday evening with a clash-of-the-titans affair as Manchester United host Arsenal, who will be hoping to remedy their opening day defeat to Liverpool FC.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714837602labto1714837602ofdlr1714837602owedi1714837602sni@g1714837602niwe.1714837602yrrah1714837602