Women’s football attendances are up, but barriers to growth still need overcoming
May 2 – Attendance at European women’s football has been rising steadily but is the women’s game reaching another glass ceiling?
News
Man Utd and Spurs are salvaging their seasons in the Europa League
May 2 – An all-English UEFA Europa League final looks increasingly likely after dominant first-leg displays by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their respective semifinals against Athletic Club and Bodø/Glimt.
English and Scottish FAs ban transgender players from women’s game
May 2 – Culture wars have no boundaries and taking their cue from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, the English Football Association (FA) has said it will ban transgender players from women’s football next season. The Scottish FA have also followed suit.
Concacaf sets dates and draw schedule for 2026 group qualifiers
May 2 – Concacaf has laid out the pathway for nations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in their region. With US, Mexico and Canada qualified as hosts, Concacaf has three more qualification slots and two inter-continental play-off slots to fill.
UEFA rolls out Maddli’s School of Football learning programme
May 2 – UEFA has launched Maddli’s School of Football, a new free-to-access educational programme aimed at school-age children, combining learning with movement and themed around the upcoming UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Albanian FA and Kavaja city join forces to rebuild stadium destroyed in 2019 earthquake
May 2 – The Football Federation of Albania (FSHF) and the Municipality of Kavaja have combined to rebuild the Besa Stadium in Kavaja that was destroyed by an earthquake in November 2019. The FSHF and the municipality will jointly provide the funding, with the stadium to be completed within two years.
Matchweek 34: Sad Saints drag over season’s average attendances down with them
May 2 – Matchweek 34 saw Premier League attendances drop to a season-low average of 97.41%, according to Capacity Tracker data – a notable dip from the 97.85% season average with attendances continuing to fall as the season’s end draws near.
The day the Samba died. Brazilians turn blue over red shirt proposal
May 2 – One of football’s most iconic shirts is at the center of a national identity crisis, as Brazil spirals into a political tizzy over rumors that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) might swap the Seleção’s classic blue away kit for a crimson jersey at the 2026 World Cup. Yes, red. In Brazil. In football. Cue the dramatic samba drums.
Chelsea lands property partnership with UAE’s Damac
May 2 – The real estate industry is becoming increasingly attractive to football clubs, and Premier League Chelsea is keen not to miss the gold rush. The club has signed a new global partnership with Damac Properties, a Dubai-based luxury real estate developer.
Barca tunes up Travis Scott promo and merchandise for Clásico
May 2 – Barcelona will wear a limited-edition Travis Scott x Cactus Jack kit in next weekend’s Clásico against Real Madrid, the latest chapter in the club’s commercial partnership with Spotify.
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
Q2 Stadium is a sleek premier soccer-specific venue located in the North Burnet area of Austin, Texas. Opened in June 2021, it serves as the home of Austin FC, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and has quickly become a central hub for soccer and entertainment since opening on June 16, 2021 .
NRG Stadium, Houston
NRG Stadium’s combination of innovative architecture, technological advancements, and versatility in hosting a wide range of events makes it a standout facility in the world of sports and entertainment.
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Levi’s Stadium, located in Santa Clara, California, is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue known for its innovative design and sustainability features. Serving as the home of the San Francisco 49ers since 2014, the stadium is situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, approximately 40 miles south of San Francisco.
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Located in the west of Dallas in the city of Arlington, the 105,000 maximum capacity AT&T stadium is the largest domed structure in the world and one of the biggest sports stadia.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Perhaps the most spectacular of the US’s mega stadiums, the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with its wrap-around video screen, will host the first group game of the Gold Cup 2025. The SoFi will also be a host venue for the 2026 World Cup and the venue for the finals of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Before then the pitch will need to be enlarged to meet FIFA requirements.