Chelsea host PSG as women's game ends on a high

Chelsea take on Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge in the final women’s club match for English top-flight teams in what has been a historic year for the game.

2022 may well be remembered as the year women’s football broke into the mainstream with the hugely successful European Championships that were hosted in England.

Before 2022, women’s football had been on a steady upward curve in popularity as more money was put into the game and as clubs began to think of their women’s teams as more than just an afterthought. Indeed, Manchester United only established an official senior team in 2018. Before that academy graduates had to leave the club for other teams when they became seniors – including going to rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool.

Of course, England being crowned the champions of Europe made a huge difference. 17.5 million watched on BBC One as the Lionesses overcame Germany in a dramatic final at Wembley in front of a crowd of just over 87,000 – proving that if the game is accessible people will watch.

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Fortunately, the success of Euro 2022 began to transfer to the domestic game. The Women’s Super League has had crowds rise by 200% so far this season with games played at bigger stadiums.

It helps that ticket prices for women’s football are far more affordable compared to the watching the men – especially important in an economy in which many families across the country struggle to make ends meet month-to-month. The WSL and the Women’s Championship have become great places for families to spend their weekends supporting the teams they may not be able to afford ordinarily.

And the WSL deserves the extra attention it is gaining. The quality of players on display is rapidly developing with the traditional ‘top three’ of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City among the best teams in Europe while Manchester United close the gap to make the league even more competitive.

Indeed, both Arsenal and Chelsea are impressing in the Champions League group stages. The Gunners topped their group that included current holders Lyon while Chelsea need just a draw this evening to guarantee they finish top ahead of PSG in their group. The Blues already defeated their opponents when the two faced off in Paris back in October thanks to Millie Bright's goal.

Success begets success and a team and it has been a long time since an English side has won a European trophy – Arsenal last did it back in 2007 with French and German sides enjoying a near monopoly on the Champions League since then. Barcelona are the only exception to that rule after having won it in 2021.

An English team winning the Champions League or the Lionesses winning next year’s World Cup would be even further boosts to the sport's popularity. So while 2022 was the best year to date for women’s football in England, it could and perhaps will get even bigger and better.

Ending 2022 at the Bridge. 👊

Let's go, Chelsea! 💙#UWCL pic.twitter.com/iFDzn86Oa1

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 22, 2022