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Barclays doubles investment in women’s leagues

Barclays has announced it has doubled its investment in women’s football through a new multi-year sponsorship of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, and has renewed its sponsorship of the Premier League, remaining as official banking partner for a further four years.

The bank has also extended its partnership with The FA for a further three years, to drive equality both on and off the pitch through the Barclays Girls’ Football School Partnerships.

In a joyous film created to celebrate the renewal, we see fourteen of England’s much-loved football mascots from teams across the Premier League, Barclays Women’s Super League and the Barclays Women’s Championship, making a hectic entrance to Barclays’ headquarters in Canary Wharf, struggling to navigate the city life with its revolving doors, security passes, immaculate meeting rooms and busy lifts. The film features a cameo from Barclays Ambassador and Arsenal legend Ian Wright OBE, who happens to be sitting in the lobby when Arsenal’s Gunnersaurus gives him an eager wave.

When Barclays became title sponsor of the Women’s Super League in 2019, it was the biggest investment ever made by a brand into women’s sport in the UK. Since then women’s football has seen exponential growth, the Barclays Women’s Super League is now the most followed women’s domestic league with 3.2m followers and average attendance at matches up 283% since 21/22 season.  This landmark renewal sees Barclays double its financial commitment, to build on that success.

As part of an ongoing commitment to equal access to football for girls, Barclays and The FA have extended their partnership through the Barclays Girl’s Football School Partnerships. After seeing great success, with the number of participating schools rising from 3,000 in 2019 to 20,000 in 2024, the partnership has been extended until 2028 and will deepen its focus on secondary schools, where it’s known 64% of girls will drop sports by the time they finish puberty1. A new programme will identify pupils who show potential from within schools, connect the pathway between education and football, and provide critical support to talented players and their families.

Extending their 23-year-long relationship with the Premier League, the new agreement will also see Barclays and the Premier League coming together on a number of community initiatives, to drive greater diversity across the future football workforce, particularly in under-represented groups. The partnership includes crucial backing and funding from Barclays, and a commitment to create pathways and positive opportunities for young people entering the world of work, breaking down barriers they may face and equipping them with the skills required for future leadership positions.

Programmes like these are made all the more special with the support of Barclays’ Ambassador, Ian Wright OBE who knows first-hand the positive impact grassroots football has.

Ian Wright OBE, Football Legend and Ambassador said: “We constantly talk about the sustainability of women's football and the need for increased investment and long-term partners to truly accelerate the growth. Barclays are once again leading the way with their commitment. This investment is exactly what's needed to not only continue the growth but to ensure the game is sustainable for future generations.”

Tom Corbett, Group Head of Sponsorship, Barclays added: “I speak for all my colleagues when I say how proud we are to be continuing our sponsorship of football. This latest agreement solidifies our long-term commitment to supporting the game at every level and creating opportunities for everyone to benefit from it.”