Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) has secured a record deal with Barclays, as the bank remains the title sponsor for its top two leagues.
As part of the multi-year agreement, Barclays will continue as the title sponsor for the Barclays Women’s Super League and Championship. This marks the largest deal in women’s domestic football history, with Barclays doubling its investment to further strengthen its long-term commitment to the women’s game.
This partnership is the first since the WPLL assumed control of the two leagues from the Football Association (FA) in August, focusing solely on governing, organising and shaping the future of women’s football in England.
Nikki Doucet, CEO of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, commented: “Barclays has been a leading light when it comes to supporting women’s football and they become a founding partner for WPLL as we embark on a transformational journey to grow the game.
“This record multi-year investment demonstrates long-term commitment and is important because it provides positive endorsement and increased support for what we are trying to accomplish.”
Barclays has been a longstanding sponsor of women’s football in England, having most recently extended its agreement by three years in 2021. In addition to football, Barclays has expanded its support for women’s sports, partnering with the WNBA‘s New York Liberty as its official banking partner in April.
Tom Corbett, Group Head of Sponsorship at Barclays, said: “I speak for all my colleagues when I say how proud we are to be continuing our sponsorship of football.
“This latest agreement solidifies our long-term commitment to supporting the game at every level and creating opportunities for everyone to benefit from it.”
Growth of the women’s game has also been elevated, signified by recent developments. Chelsea Women unveiled a long-term strategic plan to accelerate growth in May. At the heart of the plan, Chelsea Women will be repositioned so that it sits alongside, rather than beneath, the men’s team. Chelsea Women will therefore have dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership, which will be focussed solely on the growth and success of the women’s team.
Furthermore, this growth has shown to benefit local communities. A report released last week by Arsenal and Mastercard revealed that spending in local bars increased by an average of 16%, while restaurant spending rose by 15% on days when the women’s team played at Emirates Stadium compared to non-match days.
