Record Participation As Football Leads The Way For Girls And Women In Scotland
Football has firmly established itself as the leading sport for girls and women in Scotland, with new research confirming a sustained surge in both interest and participation across the game.
Latest findings show that football is now the number one sport for girls and women in Scotland, taking over from tennis for the first time.
New data from UEFA’s GROW programme and global insights from Nielsen, highlights a marked rise in interest – from 14% in 2020 to 27% in 2025. This compares to a European benchmark of 9%, underlining Scotland’s position as a leader in the growth of the women’s game.
Participation figures are also at an all-time high. The latest figures show that 28,273 girls and women are now registered as players in Scotland, up from 22,977 in 2023 – a 23% increase in just two years.
This rapid growth is being felt across every level of the sport. At the elite end, 160 professional players are now registered across the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL). Meanwhile, the grassroots game continues to flourish with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) reporting record club registrations – over 1,000 teams at 235 clubs nationwide.
Interest has also continued to rise in the Scotland Women’s National Team, up from 36% to 38% over the same two-year period.
Shirley Martin, Scottish FA, Head of Women’s Football: “This is fantastic news and is testament to the hard work of everyone at the Scottish FA, SWPL and SWF.
“From grassroots clubs and volunteers, to the continued professionalisation of our game at the very top, we are seeing just how much football means to girls and women across Scotland.
“We’ll see these benefits in our communities around the country and in the health outcomes of our young people as well as in the increased support for our international and domestic game, commercial opportunities and financial growth.
“With participation at record levels and interest continuing to rise, the outlook for girls’ and women’s football in Scotland has never been stronger and it’s so exciting to know the best is yet to come.”
Scotland are part of a joint UK bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the National Stadium, Barclays Hampden, and Easter Road Stadium – home of Hibernian Football Club – included as proposed venues in the UK’s formal bid to host the tournament. It comes as SWNT are making their bid to return to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil 2027.
Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive: “The trajectory the women’s game is on in Scotland is hugely exciting.
“The opportunities that lie ahead with the Scotland Women’s National Team and the growth of the game from grassroots upwards means we can build a sustainable model for the future.
“We’re looking forward to hearing the outcome of the 2035 bid, if successful, the tournament will be the biggest single-sport event held on UK soil and demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the girls’ and women’s game.”
