Women’s sports are on the rise, and fans are turning out in record numbers! In 2023, the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team made headlines by attracting the largest crowd ever for a women’s sports event. This historic attendance marks a significant milestone in the growing popularity of women’s athletics.
As interest in women’s sports continues to surge, let’s explore the top five most attended female sporting events in history:
5. UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Final
- Match: England vs. Germany
- Attendance: 87,192
- Date: July 31, 2022
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Sport: Football
- Result: England 2-1 (AET)
England’s Lionesses faced Germany in an electrifying final at Wembley Stadium. A record-breaking crowd of 87,192 watched as England clinched the title with a thrilling extra-time goal, inspiring a generation of young athletes. One of the most remarkable moments came when Chloe Kelly scored the decisive goal in the 110th minute. She instantly ripped off her shirt and waved it in celebration, creating an iconic moment. This celebration mirrored Brandi Chastain’s famous moment in 1999 and became a powerful symbol of women’s football. It wasn’t just the victory that made headlines but Kelly’s unabashed display of emotion, which signaled a new era of confidence and visibility for female athletes in the UK.
4. 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
- Match: USA vs. China
- Attendance: 90,185
- Date: July 10, 1999
- Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
- Sport: Football
- Result: USA 0-0 China (USA won 5-4 on penalties)
The 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup final remains one of the most dramatic moments in sports history, as 90,185 fans packed the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The tension-filled match ended in a 0-0 draw, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout where Brandi Chastain scored the winning penalty. Her exuberant celebration, tearing off her jersey and revealing her sports bra, became an iconic image and a pivotal moment for women in sports. Interestingly, the TV ratings for this final surpassed those of the NBA Finals and the World Series in 1999, which shocked many. It marked the first time women’s sports had drawn such a large global audience, solidifying the event as a turning point in the visibility and popularity of female athletes.
3. UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinal 2022
- Match: FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
- Attendance: 91,553
- Date: March 30, 2022
- Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
- Sport: Football
- Result: Barcelona 5-2 Real Madrid
Barcelona faced their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, in the Champions League quarterfinal at Camp Nou, with 91,553 fans filling the stadium to witness this historic clash. The most fascinating fact about this event is that it was the first time Camp Nou, one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world, had ever hosted a women’s match with fans in attendance. The record-breaking crowd was a powerful statement, not only for women’s football in Spain but globally, as it showed that the demand for women’s matches could fill even the largest arenas. Barcelona triumphed 5-2, but it was the significance of playing in front of a packed Camp Nou that left the deepest impression.
2. UEFA Women’s Champions League Semifinal 2022
- Match: FC Barcelona vs. VfL Wolfsburg
- Attendance: 91,648
- Date: April 22, 2022
- Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
- Sport: Football
- Result: Barcelona 5-1 Wolfsburg
Just weeks after their quarterfinal triumph, Barcelona delivered another stunning performance in front of an even larger crowd of 91,648 fans during their semifinal against Wolfsburg. A standout moment came early in the match when Aitana Bonmatí scored a breathtaking solo goal, dribbling past several Wolfsburg defenders before calmly placing the ball into the back of the net. Her goal wasn’t just a highlight of the match; it encapsulated the skill, creativity, and dominance Barcelona brought to women’s football. The remarkable turnout for this match, coming so soon after the record-breaking quarterfinal, was another indication that women’s sports were reaching new heights in both quality and audience engagement.
1. Volleyball Day in Nebraska 2023
- Match: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Omaha Mavericks
- Attendance: 92,003
- Date: August 30, 2023
- Venue: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
- Sport: NCAA Volleyball
- Result: Nebraska 3-0 Omaha
In a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports, the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team drew an astonishing 92,003 fans to Memorial Stadium for their match against Omaha, setting a new world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event. What made this event even more fascinating was the transformation of Memorial Stadium, a venue typically reserved for football games, into a volleyball arena. The immense turnout was a testament to the growing popularity of women’s athletics in the U.S. and particularly in Nebraska, where volleyball enjoys a passionate fan base. Beyond the numbers, this match symbolized the potential for women’s sports to command the same level of attention and enthusiasm as men’s events, proving that female athletes can draw massive crowds and energize fans just as much as their male counterparts.
