FIFA has published the fourth edition of ‘Setting the Pace’, the only global women’s football benchmarking report that offers unparalleled insights into the factors driving success in women’s football clubs and leagues worldwide. The publication provides an opportune moment to spotlight the extraordinary growth and development in elite women’s football.
In the first three editions, ‘Setting the Pace’ focused on the top 30 to 34 leagues in the world. The fourth edition marks a significant evolution, as its scope expands to encompass all tiers of women’s football, from amateur to professional leagues.
For the first time ever, the report was open to all of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations to participate. This truly global research project aims to provide all women’s leagues and their clubs with essential tools to benchmark themselves against their peers.
The report has three key objectives: Paint and monitor the women’s club and league landscape; enhance decision making processes and help to create tailor made programmes.
Member Associations/leagues and their respective clubs have been allocated into tiers throughout this report, with those in tier 1 demonstrating the highest level of professionalisation and those in tier 3 being in the earlier stages.
“Setting the Pace” features vital insights across six key areas:
• Sporting
• Governance
• Financial landscape
• Fan engagement
• Data and digital
• Players
