Featured image credit: G.D. Estoril Praia
Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, the home of Portuguese Primeira Liga club G.D. Estoril Praia, is set to launch a new seven-a-side club football series designed to “elevate the women’s game”.
World Sevens Football (W7F) will debut on May 21-23 in Estoril, with organisers stating future events are planned in “football-loving cities” across the United States, Mexico, Asia and Europe. W7F is backed by co-founder, philanthropist, and minority owner of the NWSL’s Gotham FC and WSL’s Chelsea FC, Jennifer Mackesy.
The leadership team also currently includes co-founder and CEO, entrepreneur Justin Fishkin; and former US national team (USWNT) player, and co-founder of the NWSL’s Bay FC, Aly Wagner, as chief of strategy.
W7F is promising a prize pool of $5m (£3.86m/€4.62m) per event, with The Guardian stating there is a commitment to invest $100m in the series over a five-year period. Unlike traditional 11-a-side matches, W7F’s short-format, high-intensity games will take place on a field half the size of a typical football pitch with seven players on each side, two 15-minute halves, and extra time to determine a result.
Mackesy said: “World Sevens Football is designed to elevate the women’s game, providing players with a powerful new platform to showcase their talent, grow their personal brands, and provide economic opportunity in a way that truly reflects their value.
“Building and developing a club takes time; being able to make an immediate impact on women’s football is incredibly exciting, and supporting players and clubs is what we have set out to do.”
W7F is developing an active Player Advisory Council led by Tobin Heath, a former USWNT player. Other player representatives on the Player Advisory Council include: Anita Asante, Caroline Seger, Kelley O’Hara and Laura Georges.
This group will play a critical role in shaping player care and welfare, competition strategy, and the positive long-term impact of W7F on players and clubs.
The inaugural W7F event has been scheduled ahead of the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, which is due to be held at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on May 24, meaning that the two finalists are not expected to be among the eight clubs competing in Estoril.
Wagner added: “We are seeing unprecedented investment into women’s football – clubs, players, facilities, and technology – all as a result of the long overdue realisation that there is a proven product that has been waiting for the flow of capital to accelerate market expansion.
“World Sevens Football is creating a series around a 7v7 format that brings fans closer to the game and the players they love. Simply put, fans will have a front-row seat to watch the world’s best players, and this time with more touches and more freedom to create and take risks. It is truly a dream format for fans and players alike.”
The emergence of W7F comes after FIFA this month set out a future events pathway for the women’s game, including new club competitions.
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