GITNUX REPORT 2024

Men Vs Women Soccer: A Statistical Comparison of the Beautiful Game

Exploring the stark contrasts in attendance, prize money, and viewership between male and female soccer.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

Men's World Cup 2022 had a total attendance of 3.4 million

Statistic 2

Women's World Cup 2019 had a total attendance of 1.13 million

Statistic 3

Average attendance for 2022 Men's World Cup matches was 53,000

Statistic 4

Average attendance for 2019 Women's World Cup matches was 21,756

Statistic 5

2023 Women's World Cup final had 75,784 spectators

Statistic 6

2022 Men's World Cup final had 88,966 spectators

Statistic 7

Men's Premier League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 39,989

Statistic 8

Women's Super League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 1,931

Statistic 9

2022 Men's World Cup prize money pool was $440 million

Statistic 10

2023 Women's World Cup prize money pool was $110 million

Statistic 11

Winning team of 2022 Men's World Cup received $42 million

Statistic 12

Winning team of 2023 Women's World Cup received $4.29 million

Statistic 13

Average annual salary in Men's Premier League 2022 was £3.2 million

Statistic 14

Average annual salary in Women's Super League 2022 was £47,000

Statistic 15

Men's World Cup 2022 generated $7.5 billion in revenue

Statistic 16

Women's World Cup 2019 generated $131 million in revenue

Statistic 17

Men's transfer record is €222 million (Neymar to PSG)

Statistic 18

Women's transfer record is €350,000 (Pernille Harder to Chelsea)

Statistic 19

Men's soccer has been in the Olympics since 1900

Statistic 20

Women's soccer has been in the Olympics since 1996

Statistic 21

First Men's World Cup was held in 1930

Statistic 22

First Women's World Cup was held in 1991

Statistic 23

Brazil has won the most Men's World Cups (5)

Statistic 24

USA has won the most Women's World Cups (4)

Statistic 25

Oldest player in Men's World Cup was 45 years old

Statistic 26

Oldest player in Women's World Cup was 42 years old

Statistic 27

Men's soccer was professionalized in England in 1885

Statistic 28

Women's soccer was professionalized in England in 2018

Statistic 29

First international men's match was played in 1872

Statistic 30

First international women's match was played in 1920

Statistic 31

Men's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 1956

Statistic 32

Women's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 2018

Statistic 33

211 national teams participated in 2022 Men's World Cup qualifiers

Statistic 34

155 national teams participated in 2023 Women's World Cup qualifiers

Statistic 35

32 teams participated in 2022 Men's World Cup finals

Statistic 36

32 teams participated in 2023 Women's World Cup finals

Statistic 37

265 million males play organized soccer worldwide

Statistic 38

26 million females play organized soccer worldwide

Statistic 39

Men's FIFA world ranking includes 211 national teams

Statistic 40

Women's FIFA world ranking includes 185 national teams

Statistic 41

54 national associations have professional men's leagues

Statistic 42

9 national associations have professional women's leagues

Statistic 43

2022 Men's World Cup had a total of 172 goals scored

Statistic 44

2019 Women's World Cup had a total of 146 goals scored

Statistic 45

Average goals per game in 2022 Men's World Cup was 2.69

Statistic 46

Average goals per game in 2019 Women's World Cup was 2.81

Statistic 47

Men's World Cup all-time top scorer has 16 goals

Statistic 48

Women's World Cup all-time top scorer has 17 goals

Statistic 49

Average speed of men's soccer shot is 70 mph

Statistic 50

Average speed of women's soccer shot is 55 mph

Statistic 51

Men's soccer field size ranges from 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide

Statistic 52

Women's soccer field size is the same as men's: 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide

Statistic 53

Men's soccer ball weighs between 410-450 grams

Statistic 54

Women's soccer ball weighs between 410-450 grams (same as men's)

Statistic 55

Men's soccer game duration is 90 minutes plus stoppage time

Statistic 56

Women's soccer game duration is 90 minutes plus stoppage time (same as men's)

Statistic 57

Men's World Cup teams have 26 players

Statistic 58

Women's World Cup teams have 23 players

Statistic 59

2022 Men's World Cup had 129 match officials

Statistic 60

2023 Women's World Cup had 107 match officials

Statistic 61

1.12 billion viewers watched 2022 Men's World Cup final

Statistic 62

562 million viewers watched 2019 Women's World Cup final

Statistic 63

Average global TV audience for 2022 Men's World Cup match was 191 million

Statistic 64

Average global TV audience for 2019 Women's World Cup match was 17.27 million

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Summary

  • Men's World Cup 2022 had a total attendance of 3.4 million
  • Women's World Cup 2019 had a total attendance of 1.13 million
  • Average attendance for 2022 Men's World Cup matches was 53,000
  • Average attendance for 2019 Women's World Cup matches was 21,756
  • 2023 Women's World Cup final had 75,784 spectators
  • 2022 Men's World Cup final had 88,966 spectators
  • Men's Premier League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 39,989
  • Women's Super League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 1,931
  • 2022 Men's World Cup prize money pool was $440 million
  • 2023 Women's World Cup prize money pool was $110 million
  • Winning team of 2022 Men's World Cup received $42 million
  • Winning team of 2023 Women's World Cup received $4.29 million
  • Average annual salary in Men's Premier League 2022 was £3.2 million
  • Average annual salary in Women's Super League 2022 was £47,000
  • Men's World Cup 2022 generated $7.5 billion in revenue

Mens soccer may have bigger crowds and larger prize money, but when it comes to skill, passion, and breaking records, its clear the women are giving the men a run for their money. From the astounding 1.13 million fans at the Womens World Cup 2019 compared to the 3.4 million at the Mens World Cup 2022, to the jaw-dropping average annual salaries in the Premier League versus the Super League, theres more to this game than meets the eye. Lets kick off the ultimate showdown on the pitch between Male vs Female Soccer – its game on like never before!

Attendance

  • Men's World Cup 2022 had a total attendance of 3.4 million
  • Women's World Cup 2019 had a total attendance of 1.13 million
  • Average attendance for 2022 Men's World Cup matches was 53,000
  • Average attendance for 2019 Women's World Cup matches was 21,756
  • 2023 Women's World Cup final had 75,784 spectators
  • 2022 Men's World Cup final had 88,966 spectators
  • Men's Premier League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 39,989
  • Women's Super League average attendance in 2021/22 season was 1,931

Interpretation

In a game of numbers, the scoreboard may show a clear advantage for the men's soccer events, but let's not forget that the quality of play is never defined by the quantity of spectators. While the Men's World Cup may draw larger crowds and higher attendance figures, the Women's World Cup and Super League hold their own with passion, skill, and dedication on the field. After all, it's not about the size of the stadium, but the size of the hearts and talents of the players that truly make the beautiful game shine. Let's give credit where it's due, and cheer on all players, regardless of gender, for their unwavering commitment to the sport they love.

Financial

  • 2022 Men's World Cup prize money pool was $440 million
  • 2023 Women's World Cup prize money pool was $110 million
  • Winning team of 2022 Men's World Cup received $42 million
  • Winning team of 2023 Women's World Cup received $4.29 million
  • Average annual salary in Men's Premier League 2022 was £3.2 million
  • Average annual salary in Women's Super League 2022 was £47,000
  • Men's World Cup 2022 generated $7.5 billion in revenue
  • Women's World Cup 2019 generated $131 million in revenue
  • Men's transfer record is €222 million (Neymar to PSG)
  • Women's transfer record is €350,000 (Pernille Harder to Chelsea)

Interpretation

In the world of soccer, the glaring disparities between male and female players are as stark as a goal under bright stadium lights. While the men's game boasts staggering prize pools, eye-watering salaries, and jaw-dropping transfer fees, the women's side of the sport is left fighting for a sliver of the pie. These statistics reveal a playing field that is not just uneven but practically vertical, with the women's game having to sprint twice as hard just to catch a glimpse of the goalposts. It's time for the powers that be to blow the whistle on this inequality and level the pitch for everyone to play on, because when it comes to talent, dedication, and love for the game, there should be no offside rule based on gender.

Historical

  • Men's soccer has been in the Olympics since 1900
  • Women's soccer has been in the Olympics since 1996
  • First Men's World Cup was held in 1930
  • First Women's World Cup was held in 1991
  • Brazil has won the most Men's World Cups (5)
  • USA has won the most Women's World Cups (4)
  • Oldest player in Men's World Cup was 45 years old
  • Oldest player in Women's World Cup was 42 years old
  • Men's soccer was professionalized in England in 1885
  • Women's soccer was professionalized in England in 2018
  • First international men's match was played in 1872
  • First international women's match was played in 1920
  • Men's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 1956
  • Women's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 2018

Interpretation

In the age-old battle of the sexes on the soccer field, it seems the male side has had a head start of over a century, with their game being professionalized, celebrated, and competed in long before the women even got a chance to kick the ball in a World Cup. But as time has marched on, the ladies have shown that they are not to be underestimated, with the USA leading the charge in Women's World Cup triumphs - giving the Brazilian men a run for their money. While it may have taken some time for women's soccer to find its spotlight, their talent and determination have certainly made up for lost time, proving that the beautiful game knows no gender boundaries. The only question now is... who will take home more Ballon d'Ors in the future?

Participation

  • 211 national teams participated in 2022 Men's World Cup qualifiers
  • 155 national teams participated in 2023 Women's World Cup qualifiers
  • 32 teams participated in 2022 Men's World Cup finals
  • 32 teams participated in 2023 Women's World Cup finals
  • 265 million males play organized soccer worldwide
  • 26 million females play organized soccer worldwide
  • Men's FIFA world ranking includes 211 national teams
  • Women's FIFA world ranking includes 185 national teams
  • 54 national associations have professional men's leagues
  • 9 national associations have professional women's leagues

Interpretation

In a game where kicking balls is the main course, the stark difference in numbers between male and female soccer participation can't be ignored. With more national teams, players, and professional leagues in the men's arena, it's clear that the playing field, quite literally, is still uneven. While the statistics may paint a picture of disparity, the passion, talent, and dedication of female soccer players worldwide continue to push boundaries and challenge the status quo. In the end, it's not just about the numbers, but about recognizing and supporting the incredible potential and progress of women in the beautiful game.

Performance

  • 2022 Men's World Cup had a total of 172 goals scored
  • 2019 Women's World Cup had a total of 146 goals scored
  • Average goals per game in 2022 Men's World Cup was 2.69
  • Average goals per game in 2019 Women's World Cup was 2.81
  • Men's World Cup all-time top scorer has 16 goals
  • Women's World Cup all-time top scorer has 17 goals
  • Average speed of men's soccer shot is 70 mph
  • Average speed of women's soccer shot is 55 mph

Interpretation

In the world of soccer, where every goal and every shot counts, the battle of the sexes on the field is as intense as ever. While the men might have nudged ahead with more total goals at the 2022 World Cup, the women of the 2019 World Cup showed that quality surpasses quantity with a slightly higher average goals per game. The rivalry doesn't end there, as the top scorers chase each other down with just one goal separating them. And when it comes to the speed of their shots, it's clear that both men and women bring the heat, with the men's shots blazing at 70 mph and the women not far behind at 55 mph. In this game of numbers, it's not about who's better, but about the fierce competition that unites us all on the pitch.

Rules and Equipment

  • Men's soccer field size ranges from 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide
  • Women's soccer field size is the same as men's: 100-130 yards long and 50-100 yards wide
  • Men's soccer ball weighs between 410-450 grams
  • Women's soccer ball weighs between 410-450 grams (same as men's)
  • Men's soccer game duration is 90 minutes plus stoppage time
  • Women's soccer game duration is 90 minutes plus stoppage time (same as men's)
  • Men's World Cup teams have 26 players
  • Women's World Cup teams have 23 players
  • 2022 Men's World Cup had 129 match officials
  • 2023 Women's World Cup had 107 match officials

Interpretation

On the surface, the statistics in male versus female soccer may seem to reveal some subtle differences, like the number of players or match officials. However, looking closer, it's clear that when it comes to field size, ball weight, and game duration, the playing field is quite literally leveled. So while one might ponder why men's World Cup teams have a few extra players or officials, perhaps the real question should be: who's out there kicking the bigger goals and making the most impact on the field regardless of the numbers game?

Viewership

  • 1.12 billion viewers watched 2022 Men's World Cup final
  • 562 million viewers watched 2019 Women's World Cup final
  • Average global TV audience for 2022 Men's World Cup match was 191 million
  • Average global TV audience for 2019 Women's World Cup match was 17.27 million

Interpretation

In the world of soccer, the numbers don't lie: it seems the men's game still draws the larger crowds and commands more attention on the global stage. With significantly higher viewership for both the finals and average match audiences, the men's World Cup continues to dominate the field. However, it's important to remember that these statistics are just a snapshot of a much larger story. While the numbers may reflect a gender disparity in soccer viewership, they also highlight an opportunity for the women's game to continue growing and carving out its own space in the limelight. After all, who said breaking records had to be a competition between the sexes?

References