World Sevens Football: A New Era for Women’s Soccer
In an exciting development for women’s soccer, a new global 7-on-7 event is set to make its debut just ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final this May. With a staggering $5 million prize pool per event, the “World Sevens Football” (W7F) promises to be a game-changer in the world of women’s sports.
The organizers of W7F have described this innovative concept as a “grand slam series,” with the inaugural tournament scheduled to take place in Portugal from May 21-23. This is just the beginning, as future events are planned in football-loving cities across the United States, Mexico, Asia, Europe, and beyond. The excitement is palpable as fans and players alike anticipate the launch of this groundbreaking series.
Eight professional women’s clubs will compete in each event, and the roster choices are entirely at the discretion of the clubs, as confirmed by a W7F spokesperson. While the specific participants have not yet been announced, several top global women’s clubs are expected to join the fray, adding to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding the event.
ESPN has confirmed that there will be one more tournament later in 2025, with plans to expand the number of tournaments in 2026. The visionaries behind W7F, Jennifer Mackesy, a minority investor in the NWSL‘s NJ/NY Gotham FC and the WSL’s Chelsea FC, along with entrepreneur Justin Fishkin, aim to “provide [players] economic opportunity in a way that truly reflects their value,” as Mackesy stated.
Player Advisory Council: A Star-Studded Lineup
World Sevens Football has formed a player advisory council led by none other than two-time World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Tobin Heath. Joining her are former internationals Kelley O’Hara, Anita Asante, Caroline Seger, and Laura Georges. These council members are not only advisors but also investors, as confirmed by a W7F spokesperson.
Heath expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Being part of World Sevens Football from its inception is incredibly meaningful to me. W7F is creating a future where women footballers have greater opportunities, financial security, and a bigger platform to connect with fans. This is about legacy — about changing the game for generations to come. And as a 1-v-1 artist myself, this format is a dream stage for those duels.”
Strategic Leadership and Tournament Format
Adding to the impressive lineup, Bay FC co-founder Aly Wagner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist with a decade-long career with the United States, will serve as W7F’s chief of strategy. According to a W7F spokesperson, she is an employee and not an investor.
The tournament format will feature 7-on-7 games consisting of two 15-minute halves, with extra time for tiebreakers. This format has gained popularity in recent years, as seen with The Soccer Tournament (TST), which launched its first dedicated women’s tournament last year with a $1 million winner-take-all prize. TST is set to return to North Carolina in June with an expanded field of 16 women’s teams.
Timing and Overlapping Events
The UEFA Women’s Champions League final is scheduled for May 24 in Lisbon at Estádio José Alvalade, the home of Sporting Lisbon. W7F will take place in the three days prior to the final, at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, about 18 miles to the west.
However, the timing of the first tournament presents some challenges. It comes at the end of most European domestic seasons but falls in the middle of the NWSL season in the U.S., making it unlikely that NWSL teams will participate. Additionally, W7F’s inaugural event directly overlaps with the semifinals and final of the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup, which takes place in Monterrey, Mexico, featuring two NWSL and two Liga MX Femenil teams.
As the countdown to the inaugural W7F tournament begins, the excitement and anticipation continue to build. With a star-studded advisory council, a substantial prize pool, and a commitment to elevating women’s soccer, World Sevens Football is poised to make a significant impact on the sport.
Originally Written by: Jeff Kassouf
