Arsenal vs Man Utd set new WSL record at the Emirates
The Women’s Super League (WSL) witnessed a historic moment as Arsenal triumphed over Manchester United 3-1 on Saturday, in front of a record crowd for England’s top-flight women’s league.
This milestone occurred at Emirates Stadium, usually home to Arsenal’s men’s team, marking the first-ever sold-out event for a women’s game at this venue. The club proudly declared that 60,160 were in attendance, surpassing the previous WSL attendance record of 59,042 set during Arsenal’s victory against Chelsea at the Emirates on December 10th.
Traditionally, Arsenal WFC has played its home matches at the 4,500-capacity Meadow Park. However, during the 2023-24 season, the Gunners have been able to stage six out of their 11 home league matches at the Emirates. This move aligns with the club’s ambitions, as earlier expressed by Gunners manager Jonas Eidevall, who envisioned a future where all home matches for the women’s team would be held at the 60,000-plus capacity Emirates Stadium.
Last May, 60,063 fans saw Arsenal beaten at the Emirates in the Champions League semi-finals, a record crowd for a women’s club game in England, other than FA Cup finals.
The best-attended women’s football match in the UK remains the Euro 2022 final when 87,192 fans were in attendance at Wembley Stadium to see England crowned European Champions.
Women’s football attendance records in England
Attendance and viewership of the women’s game has skyrocketed in recent years in England, and plans for the next season suggest it’ll only keep growing.
- WSL: Arsenal vs Man Utd – 60,160 at the Emirates
- Women’s FA Cup final Chelsea vs Man Utd – 77,390 at Wembley
- Euros 2022 final: England vs Germany – 87,192 at Wembley