A new international women’s football tournament is facing significant commercial hurdles just weeks before its launch. The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, scheduled for late January in London, has yet to finalize television broadcast agreements in key markets.
The competition will feature four clubs: Arsenal from Europe, Brazil’s Corinthians, Gotham FC from the United States, and one final qualifier from a playoff between China’s Wuhan Jiangda and Morocco’s AS FAR. Despite the presence of these champion teams, major broadcasters have so far shown limited interest in acquiring the rights to the event, which consists of only four matches over five days.
Industry sources indicate that FIFA has engaged in direct negotiations with targeted broadcasters rather than conducting a widespread formal tender. In the United Kingdom, entities holding the domestic Women’s Super League rights are reported to have been approached but have not pursued the package. The global governing body has stated that the sales process is ongoing, leaving the door open for last-minute agreements.
This challenge mirrors difficulties FIFA encountered earlier this year in selling rights for the expanded men’s Club World Cup, which was ultimately acquired by a streaming service.
The tournament’s path to launch has been marked by logistical complications. An initial proposal to host the finals in New York was reportedly favored by FIFA but met with resistance from European participants concerned about mid-season travel. This led to the relocation of all matches to London, although specific venues have not been announced.
The Champions Cup was established as an interim competition, with plans for a larger 16-team Women’s Club World Cup to begin in 2028. The new cup is designed to fill the years between those quadrennial events. Its debut, however, coincides with a congested football calendar, adding another layer of complexity to its commercial appeal and organization.
With the first match set for January 28th, time is running short for FIFA to secure broadcast partners and generate public momentum for its latest venture into the women’s club game.