- Historic move strengthens representation of women’s domestic professional football across Europe
- Women’s leagues to join the Association’s governance and decision-making structures for the first time
- European Leagues membership expands to 54 leagues
European Leagues has today formally welcomed 14 women’s professional leagues into its membership following approval at an Extraordinary General Assembly, marking a significant milestone in the representation of women’s domestic football across Europe.
The decision brings women’s professional leagues into the Association’s governance, representation and decision-making structures for the first time, creating a formal setting through which leagues can engage collectively with governing bodies, stakeholders, EU and political institutions.
The admission of the leagues expands European Leagues’ membership to 54 leagues and reinforces its role as the collective voice of domestic professional football competitions across Europe.
The move follows statutory changes approved at the Association’s 52nd General Assembly in Sofia earlier this year, enabling women’s professional leagues to obtain full membership status within European Leagues.
It also represents the next stage in the development of the Women’s European Leagues Platform, launched in July 2025 to provide a dedicated forum for collaboration among women’s professional leagues. Today’s decision formalises that collaboration within the Association’s structures and ensures women’s leagues are fully represented in its activities and decision-making processes. As an important next step, a women’s league representative will be appointed to the European Leagues Board of Directors.
The integration of women’s leagues comes at a time of continued growth across European women’s football, with rising participation levels, increasing attendances, growing commercial investment and greater professionalisation across domestic competitions.
Through their membership, women’s leagues will have an enhanced opportunity to collaborate, exchange expertise, address common challenges and contribute to discussions on the future development of professional football in Europe.
The following leagues were formally admitted to membership:
Women’s League Members:
- Pro League (Lotto Super League) – Belgium
- Ligaforbundet – Denmark
- WSL Football – England
- Íslenskur Toppfótbolti – Iceland
- Northern Ireland Football League Women’s Premiership – Northern Ireland
- Scottish Women’s Premier League – Scotland
- Liga F – Spain
- Elitfotboll Dam – Sweden
Women’s League Associate Members:
- Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel – France
- Frauen-Bundesliga – Germany
- League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division – Ireland
- Serie A Women – Italy
- Vrouwen Eredivisie – Netherlands
- Adran Premier – Wales
Commenting on the admission of the women’s leagues, European Leagues President Claudius Schäfer said:
“The formal integration of women’s professional leagues into European Leagues represents a historic moment for our Association and an important step in the continued development of domestic football across Europe. The growth of women’s football in recent years has been remarkable, with women’s leagues positioned at the centre of the sport’s development and future success.
Through their membership, women’s leagues will play an active role in our activities and decision-making processes, ensuring their perspectives are fully represented.”
Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of Scottish Women’s Premier League (Scotland), added:
“Today marks a significant step forward for women’s professional leagues across Europe, and we are delighted to be joining European Leagues alongside our peers from across the continent. This recognition reflects the remarkable progress and growth of domestic women’s competitions in recent years and represents an important milestone in supporting the continued development and professionalisation of the game.”
Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football (England):
“This is a major milestone for women’s professional leagues in Europe and a powerful signal of the progress the women’s game has made. As we look to the future, collaboration between leagues will be essential – not only to ensure we have a strong, unified voice in shaping the game, but also to unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term sustainability across our competitions.”
Beatriz Álvarez, President of Liga F (Spain):
“We are at a decisive moment for women’s football, and Liga F welcomes the opportunity to join the European Leagues. As leagues, we have a responsibility to work together, identify shared objectives and jointly address the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future, while defending the interests of women’s competitions. Only from a cohesive and firm position, grounded in shared experiences and synergies, will we be able to strengthen our voice and be present in the spaces where decisions are made that affect both the present and the future of women’s football.”
Ylva Johansson, Chair of Elitfotboll Dam (Sweden):
“Women’s football is developing rapidly across Europe, and our leagues face many of the same opportunities and challenges. This initiative is an important step in strengthening collaboration between leagues, sharing knowledge and best practices, and ensuring that leagues have a strong collective voice in discussions that shape the future of the game. We are proud that Elitfotboll Dam can contribute to this work and help drive the continued growth and professionalisation of women’s football across Europe.”