May 13 – The UEFA Women’s European Championship, scheduled to take place in Switzerland this summer, is shaping up to be one of the most impactful tournaments in the history of the women’s game according to a recently published report by Europe’s governing body.
Sixteen teams will compete across eight Swiss cities, backed by a €246 million joint investment from UEFA, the Swiss Football Association (SFA), and both local and federal government authorities.
Over 550,000 of a maximum 673,000 tickets have already been sold for the competition, with the tournament set to break the attendance record set during the 2022 festival in England.
Now, UEFA has released its pre-tournament impact report outlining a sweeping programme of investment, development goals and lasting legacy plans.
UEFA’s headline ambition is for the tournament to be ‘Here to Stay’, in line with its legacy pledge. That includes a direct €11 million investment into the long-term growth of women’s football in Switzerland, targeting both the grassroots game and the elite level.
The goal is to double the number of women and girls playing in the country from 40,000 to 80,000, while boosting domestic league attendances from 75,000 to 150,000 annually by 2027.
Financially, the tournament’s total prize pool has climbed to a record €41 million, underlining its role as a major step forward for the professional game. For the first time, players will also receive a guaranteed share of that prize money via their national associations — a tangible recognition of the sport’s increasing stature.
The tournament is also forecast to generate up to CHF 193 million in activity for Switzerland, depending on final attendance figures. With at least 137,000 international ticket sales already secured, the event is expected to bring a major tourism boost to host cities.
The impact report, compiled by EY for UEFA, highlights the long-term benefits of the tournament both socially and economically — and not only within Switzerland. The event forms part of a broader €1 billion UEFA commitment to women’s football between 2024 and 2030, funded by competition revenues and supplemented by targeted investments.
The report outlined that supporters attending Women’s EURO 2025 will also benefit from several fan-focused initiatives. All matchday ticket holders will receive free second-class rail travel across Switzerland on the day of the game, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to accessibility and sustainability. Tickets remain available via womenseuro.com, starting at €25.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, said: “The impact of Women’s EURO 2025 extends far beyond the competition itself. With record prize money and unprecedented interest from sponsors, the tournament will bring more investment into the women’s game than ever before.”
Dominique Blanc, President of the Swiss Football Association, added: “The country will quickly take another big step forward thanks to the joy and excitement for this tournament. We have developed a sustainability plan in collaboration with the government and regional associations, which will secure the event’s legacy.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1747154220labto1747154220ofdlr1747154220owedi1747154220sni@g1747154220niwe.1747154220yrrah1747154220