Women’s sports fans are showing up in droves to watch incredible athletes ball out. The Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team broke the record for the largest crowd at a women’s sports event in 2023 — but women’s sports have experienced tremendous growth in the past year, and it’s only a matter of time until that record gets broken again. Until then, these are the top ten most attended women’s sports events on record.

Sport: NCAA Volleyball 

Crowd: 92,300

Date: August 30, 2023

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

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Nebraska defeated Omaha in the record-breaking preseason bout. This match broke the longstanding attendance record for a women’s sporting event in America, previously held by the 1999 World Cup Final - which is fourth on this list. 

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Nebraska breaking the record for the world's most-attended women’s sporting event is incredibly unique, considering that every other event on the top ten list comes from professional soccer.

Sport: UEFA Champions League Soccer - Finals

Crowd: 91,648

Date: April 22, 2022

Location: Barcelona, Spain

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After a lackluster first half, Barcelona stormed back into the game in the second half, scoring two goals in just two minutes. Barcelona went on to defeat Wolfsburg, 3-2.

Sport: UEFA Champions League Soccer - Quarterfinals 

Crowd: 91, 553

Date: March 29, 2022

Location: Barcelona, Spain

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In the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-2. Just like the April 22 game, Barcelona scored back-to-back goals in two minutes to help put Real Madrid away.

Sport: World Cup Soccer - Finals

Crowd: 90,185

Date: July 10, 1999

Location: Pasadena, California

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Over 90,000 people filled the stands to witness one of the most critical events in American women’s soccer history. The US beat China 5-4 after a penalty kick shootout to win the World Cup.

Sport: Euros Soccer - Finals

Crowd: 87,192

Date: July 31, 2022

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

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England defeated Spain 2-1, and Keira Walsh was named Player of the Match. The 87,192 fans in attendance were the most for any European Championship finals match - regardless of gender.

Sport: Finalissima 

Crowd: 83,132

Date: April 6, 2023

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

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The Finalissima is an intercontinental match between the winners of the most recent European and South American championships. There had never been a Women’s Finalissima until 2023. England and Brazil were tied 1-1 after full time, and England won the penalty shootout 4-2 to claim the trophy.

Sport: Olympic Soccer - Gold Medal Match

Crowd: 80,203

Date: August 9, 2012

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

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The U.S. women’s national team brought home a gold medal after Carli Lloyd netted two goals against Japan in the 2012 Olympics. The match was tenuous, as the USWNT had just previously lost the 2011 World Cup to Japan.

Sport: International Friendly Soccer

Crowd: 77,768

Date: November 9, 2019

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

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Germany defeated England 2-1 in the international friendly that saw a crowd of over 77,000 fans. This was a marked improvement from the previous friendly for the two squads in 2014, which around 45,000 fans came to.

Sport: FA Cup Final Soccer

Crowd: 77,390

Date: May 14, 2023

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

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Chelsea defeated Manchester United in the FA Final after Sam Kerr found the net for the match's lone goal. With the win, Chelsea became the second women’s club to the FA Cup three times in a row.

Australia vs. Denmark

World Cup Quarterfinal

Crowd: 75,784

Date: August 7, 2023
Location: Stadium Australia, Sydney

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England vs. Colombia

World Cup Semifinal

Crowd: 75,784

Date: August 16, 2023
Location: Stadium Australia, Sydney

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Spain vs. England

World Cup Final

Crowd: 75,784

Date: August 20, 2023
Location: Stadium Australia, Sydney

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The 2023 FIFA World Cup was a significant cultural moment for women’s sports. Fans sold out three straight rounds of the tournament at Australia’s second-biggest venue. Outside of the stadium, even more fans watched at viewing parties worldwide.