As the UEFA Women’s Euros 2025 kicks off, a new survey from Powerleague has found somewhat of a troubling contradiction: although confidence and passion for women’s football are rising, nearly half of women and girls in the UK still feel excluded or judged for wanting to play.
The research, which surveyed over 2,000 women and girls, shows just how far women’s football has come, and how far it still has to go. Despite 48% of respondents saying they feel confident in their football skills, 46% have experienced exclusion or judgment. That figure gets darker when looking at specific experiences: a quarter reported receiving sexist comments, and just 15% believe football is equally welcoming to all genders.
Despite a year that feels slightly unnerving when it comes to the progress of women’s rights, interest in women’s sports has seen a huge growth. With women’s sports bars expected to quadruple across the U.S. in 2025, F1 viewership now consisting of 40% women, and a huge rise in women’s football viewership in the UK over the last year.
These new statistics show us that cultural change in sport doesn’t happen simply because more people are watching. It takes a real change in infrastructure, access, and how we talk about who football is “for.”
In the study, when asked what’s holding women and girls back from playing more, 22% pointed to a fear of judgment or not feeling good enough. Another 16% still hear that outdated phrase: “football’s not for girls.” Time, cost and lack of local spaces also remain practical barriers.
But alongside these challenges, there’s a visible surge in confidence, especially among younger players. Almost half feel assured in passing, and many want to build on their skills such as tackling, defensive positioning, and penalty-taking.
Perhaps even more telling is the sense of community that the sport is creating. Nearly half say football has helped them feel more confident, 39% have found a sense of belonging, and a third report stronger friendships. Many also described it as a vital escape from daily stress.
The fallout from the Rubiales incident at the 2023 Women’s World Cup (when the then-head of the Spanish FA kissed a player without consent during celebrations) was a clear flashpoint. More than a quarter of respondents said the moment made them more determined to support women’s football. Others said it provoked a stronger desire to speak up about inclusion and equality.
While media coverage has undeniably helped raise the profile of the women’s game, the trust isn’t consistent. Around 10% of those surveyed say they don’t trust how women’s football is portrayed, and many feel visibility spikes only during major tournaments. Just 13% believe the women’s game is on track to become as mainstream as men’s football, and 2% think it never will.
When asked what would improve their experience of football, the answers were practical and clear: more local and affordable places to play, more women-led leagues and coaches, and support at school and community level. A growing number of respondents also said they wanted the game to be discussed as naturally and as often as men’s football, rather than treated as a separate side story.
In response to the survey, Powerleague has launched a campaign called She’s Got Game, with free pitch access and coaching sessions from freestyle pro Shannon Ghee.
Football is no longer something women are just “allowed” to play. They’re showing up, building skill, forming communities and demanding change. The data backs it up and they’re more than ready. The question now is whether the footballing world is ready to meet them.
