Women’s football is attracting increasing attention in Albania. According to the “UEFA Grow Market Research” report, conducted by UEFA and Nielsen, interest in women’s football has quadrupled compared to 2016, demonstrating the sport’s continued growth in the country.
The study shows that interest in women’s football has risen from 3% in 2016 to 12% today. Unlike the broader European trend, where interest is driven mainly by men, in Albania it is women and girls themselves who follow women’s football the most, with 17% expressing interest compared to 8% of men.
The report also highlights that 46% of Albanians express an interest in women’s football, while one in five people identifies as a fan of the sport, placing Albania at levels similar to the European average.
Perceptions of women’s football remain positive. According to respondents, 74% of Albanians believe that the development of women’s football represents a positive social advancement, while 59% think it provides positive role models for younger generations.
The findings indicate that Albanians consider improving the image of women’s football to be the top priority for the sport’s further development. Investment in grassroots programs and youth development ranks as the second most important factor.
For fans of women’s football, the main motivations for following the sport include spending quality time with family and friends, the excitement of the game, and the atmosphere at matches.
At the same time, the report identifies several challenges that remain. A lack of public awareness of female players, limited media coverage, and the overall matchday atmosphere are among the main reasons preventing some fans from engaging more closely with women’s football.
The report’s data confirms that women’s football in Albania is continuing to grow and that the investments made by the Albanian Football Asociation in developing the women’s game are contributing to increased interest and participation in the sport.
