A View From the Stands: How the WSL is Redefining Stadiums.

Floodlights hum above the pitch and the air inside the stadium feels charged and hopeful. It is matchday at an Arsenal Women home game and the stands are already filled with a sea of red. Scarves are draped over winter coats and young girls, families and supporters are settling in for a final against Corinthians.

Sitting here, it is obvious that this is not the demographic English football stadiums were originally designed for. Families often outnumber groups of middle-aged men. There are grandparents, friendship groups, youth teams and first-time fans. The atmosphere is vibrant but notably different from the traditional men’s matchday and the infrastructure of the stadium often struggles to keep up with the pace of the supporters needs…