Deloitte report suggests global revenues in women's elite sports will exceed US$2.3 billion in 2025

Global revenues in women’s elite sports are expected to surpass US$2.3 billion in 2025, according to a new report from consultants Deloitte.

Exploring long-term success in women’s sport, the report Beyond the billion-dollar barrier: Charting the next phase of growth, suggests that ongoing growth requires a shift from short-term return on investment (ROI) to a venture capital mindset driven by values, long-term vision and a commitment to societal impact.

Deloitte Global Sports practice leader, Pete Giorgio explained “we’re witnessing a transformational movement in women’s sports - what was once seen as potential is now a thriving, billion-dollar industry. With revenues expected to surpass the $2 billion mark this year, the conversation is no longer about proving value but about scaling for the future.

“The challenge now is to sustain this momentum and translate it into long-term success, with the appropriate investment, infrastructure, and opportunities to keep women’s sports growing on a global stage.”

Redefining the industry
The report note that 2024 was a landmark year for women’s sport with commercial revenues (including sponsorships, partnerships, merchandising sales and pre-season tour income-surpassing US$1 billion) for the first time. In 2025, commercial revenue is predicted to remain the largest share of revenue across women’s sport (US$1.26 billion, 54%) as increasing brand recognition, rising fan engagement, and more lucrative sponsorship deals fuel the industry’s expansion. Projections also show a significant rise in broadcast (US$590 million, 25%) and matchday revenues (US$500 million, 21%).

The two highest revenue-generating sports remain unchanged, with basketball (US$1.03 billion, 44%) and football (US$820 million, 35%) projected to generate the biggest revenues in 2025. Basketball is on track to overtake football to become the leading revenue-generating women’s sport globally, benefiting from new star athletes boosting matchday attendances, merchandising sales, and investment into facilities. While global women's football revenues are predicted to rise from US$740 million in 2024 to US$820 million in 2025, women's basketball revenues are expected to jump from US$710 million to US$1.03 billion in the same time frame.

New investment structures, such as women’s sporting teams becoming standalone entities, could mean increased investment, dedicated resources, and the opportunity for greater commercial prowess. Major events and global competitions are also expected to generate significant revenues, with host countries attracting new fans, investors and commercial partners.

A playbook for success
In 2025 and beyond, several key actions from women’s sports organisations, brands and sponsors can help enable the continued growth of women’s sport organisations:

Investment in dedicated infrastructure: Dedicated facilities serve as powerful symbols of commitment to the growth and development of women’s sports.

Build the profile of major women’s sporting events: These cultural moments can ignite a long-term passion for fans but will require moving beyond simply hosting matches, to creating immersive experiences that showcase the athleticism, culture and identity of the sport.

Embrace non-endemic brands: A new wave of non-endemic brands in fashion, beauty, travel, and consumer goods - such as Unilever, Elf Beauty and Skyscanner are entering and expanding into the sector, reaching a new set of target demographics.

Join the Athena Pledge: This initiative is rallying brands to increase their investment in women’s sports, which is already backed by a range of leading brands.

Innovate with consumption preferences: Women’s sports are increasingly adopting innovative broadcast strategies, such as streaming key matches simultaneously via multi-view functions on YouTube and diversifying content offerings with behind-the-scenes footage to align with shifting audience viewing habits and maximize reach.

Giorgio adds “the growth of women’s sports has continued to exceed expectations.

“Crucially, the industry is moving beyond short-sighted metrics to focus on building long-lasting structures and legacy programs through enhanced investment and bold action. Industry leaders must strike the right balance between maintaining this growth and establishing strong foundations for long-term success.”

Click here for more information on the Athena Pledge.

Image: The USA women's national team celebrate winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. Credit: Shutterstock.