Flashscore Data Shows Most Viewed Players, Teams and Match Profiles in Women's Sport
Last year was a watershed year for women’s sport in the UK, with England retaining football’s Euros and winning the rugby union World Cup as well as Arsenal lifting the Champions League.
Data from Flashscore - the world’s most popular live score app - reveals Lionesses stars lead UK interest in women’s sport - while the wider, global audiences flock to icons in the world of tennis such as Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
Last year was a watershed year for women’s sport in the UK, with England retaining football’s Euros and winning the rugby union World Cup as well as Arsenal lifting the Champions League. The UK government also vowed to “build on this success to cement its position as a leader in women’s sport.
Lionesses lauded by UK users
In the UK, Lionesses striker Alessia Russo ranked as the most popular player, ahead of team-mates Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly. England players accounted for 12 of the UK’s top 20 athletes, underlining the national team’s cultural impact.
However, the picture shifts dramatically among global users. Swiatek leads all athletes, followed by Sabalenka and rising star Mirra Andreeva. Russo is the highest-ranked England footballer globally in 10th place.
Swiatek and Sabalenka’s presence in both the UK and global top 10 highlights their rare crossover appeal, resonating strongly with British and international audiences alike.
Globally, the top ten is split between football players and tennis players. The top four - Swiatek, Sabalenka Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova - are all tennis players.
Among global users, Spain’s Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is the most-viewed footballer profile and fifth in the overall list.
Beau ‘n’ Arrow
Football and tennis dominates UK fans’ attention with 19 of the top 20 athletes coming from those sports with the exception of female darts star, Beau Greaves. The darts sensation ranks 16th with Greaves, 22, is a three-time women’s world champion and holds the record for PDC Women’s Series titles with 50 victories.
In February 2026, she became the first woman to land a nine-darter on the PDC ProTour, throwing a perfect leg against Mensur Suljovic.
Europe’s football giants dominate global team rankings
At team level, Europe’s elite clubs command the global spotlight. FC Barcelona Femení lead all teams worldwide - with nearly double the amount of views compared with second-placed Chelsea Women.
Spanish powerhouses continue their strong showing with Real Madrid Femenino ranking third globally, while national teams including Spain, England and France also feature prominently.
The data reinforces Europe’s position as the global epicentre of women’s football fan engagement.
Of the most-viewed teams by global users, only one of the top 50 is not a football team - with the Polish volleyball team ranking 31st.
Rivalries fuel engagement as football dominates UK interest
Arsenal Women rank as the most popular club overall, while Manchester United Women attracted significantly more attention than local rivals Manchester City Women.
These rivalries are key drivers of engagement, with fans actively following club narratives and competitions throughout the season.
Football accounts for 48 of the top 50 teams by fan interest across the UK, further demonstrating the sport’s overwhelming dominance for the British audience.
The England women's national football team lead all UK teams, followed by Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women.
England’s rugby and cricket teams were the only non-football sides to break into the wider top 50. The Red Roses recent successes get them midway up the table in 25th, while England’s cricket side are down in 33rd.
Euro 2025 title drives record Lionesses interest
The Lionesses’ run to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final and eventual success has been a defining factor behind their dominance in UK fan interest and strong global rankings.
July’s final topped Flashscore data for matches and six of the top 10 games in 2025 were part of England Women’s journey to lifting the trophy in Basel.
The final became the most-watched women’s football match in UK history and drew record international audiences, cementing England’s players as some of the most in-demand athletes among fans.
The England national football team also lead the way in terms of teams for the UK audience across Flashscore platforms. Interest continues to grow in the women’s game domestically with the national team flourishing under Sarina Wiegman having won a second UEFA Women’s Championship back in the summer of 2025.
The Euros final was also the most-viewed match by a global audience, ahead of England’s victory over Italy five days earlier. Nineteen of the top 20 most-viewed matches were football, with Sabalenka’s tennis match against Coco Gauff at the French Open coming in 20th place.
Stars including Russo, Kelly and Lauren James all ranked among the UK’s most-viewed players, reflecting the squad’s enduring popularity.
