What's working - and what's not - for WSL fans?

Sport InsightWhat's working - and what's not - for WSL fans? Published1 minute agoImage source, Getty ImagesByCiara FlemingBBC Sport journalist"Attendance FC? That's your insult? You're jealous!"Rachel Major regularly finds herself fending off jibes from rival fans towards Arsenal's growing attendances. A supporter of 20 years, she has enjoyed a prime seat at the club that is driving the growth of the women's game.Last season, the Gunners averaged 34,000 at Emirates Stadium, almost four times the next highest average attendance which was set by Chelsea - and better than eight Premier League clubs., externalArsenal's home crowds accounted for 41% of all supporters at WSL fixtures, a club success story, though one that raises questions about the overall supporter experience as both league and clubs strive to progress.To investigate, BBC Sport asked fans how the game can keep existing followers engaged, captivate new supporters and inspire the next generation.What's working?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, London City Lionesses are the WSL's only club independent of a men's teamIn January 2026, a YouGov study, external found 28.5m fans of WSL football globally, split equally by gender with almost half aged 18-34.It is notably different from the men's game, which skews male and older."At a men's game, you feel like you're just a cog," says Donna Jones, a season ticket-holder at London City Lionesses. "The game doesn't care about the fans. In the women's game, the players and staff want to build a relationship."Bankrolled by billionaire majority owner Michele Kang, London City are the only fully independent WSL club and averaged a home crowd of just under 3,000 at League One Bromley's Copperjax Community Stadium in their top-flight debut.Their efforts to entice new supporters earned the Best Fan Engagement prize at the 2026 Women's Football Awards.,...