Jonas Eidevall: Arsenal’s fans playing huge role in growing women’s game

Arsenal women’s boss Jonas Eidevall says that the North London club’s fervent fanbase has played a crucial role in not only retaining and attracting top players but also in fostering the overall growth of women’s football. The Gunners set a new Women’s Super League (WSL) attendance record on the season’s opening day and consistently sell out their away ticket allocation. Arsenal’s sustained growth is attributed to their effective marketing strategy, setting them apart from WSL rivals.

Eidevall recognises the positive impact of fan support on the team’s success, with increased attendance contributing to economic gains from ticket sales. Despite the relatively modest prize money in women’s football competitions, Arsenal’s substantial leap in attendance—from 4,000 to 60,000—creates significant revenue, fostering sustainability, team investment, and sporting achievements. Eidevall emphasises the importance of growing attendance figures as a key factor in women’s football expansion.

Last season, Arsenal recorded attendances of 5,397, 6,592, and 7,711 in their Champions League group stage games, showcasing their consistently high fan engagement. In comparison, WSL counterparts Chelsea attracted only 3,450 supporters in their recent victory over Paris FC. Even in a Conti Cup tie against a Championship club in Southampton, Arsenal supporters contributed to a record crowd of 13,438, underscoring the club’s broad appeal and fan-driven growth.

Arsenal batter Chelsea in front of record WSL crowd of 59,042 at Emirates

Jonas Eidevall reacts

“When you see the growth in women’s football, attendance figures is perhaps the most important growth factor,” he said. “The reality is there is not a prize money structure yet in the European competitions that give you a huge advantage. It still covers your expenses and not more. But it is a giant leap to going from selling 4,000 tickets to 60,000.

“That is a huge, huge leap which grows revenue, which enables sustainability and investing into the team and giving you more sporting success. That should be able to generate more attendance.”

“The interest we have around the team is great, as a club, like we are doing, we need to capitalise on that and make sure that is one of the things that makes Arsenal stand out compared to our competitors,” Eidevall continued.

“We should really generate momentum and as a foundation to drive sporting success in a way that our competitors, at the moment, cannot do.”

The Swede added his belief that the swathe of support Arsenal receive has helped convince the likes of Beth Mead, Kim Little, Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum, Jen Beattie and Katie McCabe to sign new contracts – the Swede extended his own deal with the club earlier this season by for a further three years.

“Everyone that is part of this Arsenal team, we feel that support and we feel that special bond, and we’re so grateful for having it.

“It is linked, the mentality of the team and the support we get from the fans. That we are able to turn games around late, they play a massive part in that. The atmosphere of the fans and the support they give us, they never, ever stop believing. They never stop singing.

“If they had the mentality of turning their back on the team in the 80th minute because they don’t have the result they like, that will be a self fulfilling prophecy.

“That bond is getting stronger and it helps us on the pitch because the fans are amazing. They are true supporters, They are a huge part of us being able to win seven games in a row.”