Being a Female Football Fan: What’s Working and What’s Missing?

One of the biggest complaints fans have is the schedule.

In 2025–26, the WSL replaced the 18:45 Sunday kick-off time with more midday matches, but this too proved unpopular.

“It’s terrible for a day,” Arsenal fan Major explained. “You have fans leaving at three in the morning or you’re leaving the night before and have to pay for a hotel.”

The revised timing also clashes with grassroots football, largely played on Sunday mornings. This is a barrier for the younger generation to participate in the Games.

Regular breaks throughout the season are a problem. Former England defender Anita Asante suggested earlier this year Extended intervals between league games Pace and rhythm for fans.

Another complaint from supporters is accessibility.

While Premier League-level grounds such as the Emirates Stadium and Everton’s Goodison Park are well equipped, smaller venues are less accommodating.

Jones, a wheelchair user, was frustrated by a lack of Blue Badge parking information when he tried to attend Tottenham Hotspur’s away trip to London City.

“A lot of the problems I experience are with communication,” she says. “Every club has an accessibility section on their website but for Tottenham it’s only for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, not Brisbane Road (where Tottenham Women play).”

Jones told BBC Sport that it was up to him to ask for more information via email, where he received a reply saying Blue Badge parking was sold out. It was only after speaking to Tottenham’s disability co-ordinator that he learned the venue did not have Blue Badge parking as it was in a residential area.

To compound matters, the wheelchair accessible allocation was in the away section on the opposite side of the ground, leaving Jones isolated.

Tottenham Hotspur told BBC Sport that venue information is available on the website via the ‘Ask Spurs’ chatbot. However, after an internal investigation, they are improving.

Brisbane Road-specific guide ‘Ask Spurs’ has been added to their event day accessible parking section, while a match-day-specific guide is in the works.

A club spokesman confirmed: “We are working on a full Brisbane Road matchday guide for next season’s website to complement our Tottenham Hotspur stadium information.”