Momentum has a significant impact, as evidenced by the recent developments in various sectors, including Wrexham’s football journey, the rise of women’s football in England post-Euro 2022, and NASA’s Artemis II mission planning.
The conclusion of the women’s football season in England and across Europe has lost its energy due to an extended international break. This pause, along with the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals scheduled over the Easter weekend, means there will be nearly four weeks without Women’s Super League (WSL) matches. This gap comes at a time when the weather is improving, anticipation for the remaining fixtures is rising, and fan interest should be at a peak.
The primary reason for this lengthy break is the 11-day window allocated for up to three international matches, contrasting with the usual eight-day window for two games. In Europe, the situation resembles a standard window but includes an additional week for preparation, as most national teams have chosen not to take advantage of the opportunity for a third game. For instance, England is set to host Spain on April 14 and then face Iceland on April 18, marking their 500th match, but they opted against scheduling a friendly on April 10 or 11.
Conversely, several countries have chosen to play three matches. The USA, for example, will host Japan for a series of friendlies on April 11, 15, and 18, while Brazil, Pakistan, Zambia, and other teams across Asia and Africa are also participating in three-game schedules. This disparity suggests a disconnect between the global and European football calendars.
A similar scenario unfolded during February’s international window, where teams could play three matches, yet few elected to do so. Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of England, expressed that both she and the Football Association believe it is better to limit play to two matches due to the congested schedule and the physical demands on players.
The absence of matches this weekend poses challenges for domestic leagues, especially during a period that could have engaged fans. Teams not participating in international duty risk losing momentum, and a month without competitive games may affect player fitness. In the Frauen Bundesliga, no matches are scheduled from March 30 to April 22, and several teams in other leagues also face long breaks, particularly over the Easter weekend when many are involved in semi-final cup matches.
This pause results in lost opportunities for fan engagement during a critical stretch. Everton, for example, attracted 5,292 spectators to their recent Merseyside derby before entering a month-long hiatus. Leicester, currently at the bottom of the Women’s Super League and in dire need of fan support, will not host a home match from March 29 until May 3. In the second tier, Portsmouth, in last place, faces an even longer drought between games, spanning from March 28 to April 26.
Sunderland recently drew 10,156 fans for a home match against Newcastle and has since been acquired by American investors, but must wait until April 26 for their next home game. The race for promotion, in which Birmingham and Charlton are closely matched, will also see most teams inactive throughout April.
However, some coaches see benefits in this break. Charlton’s head coach, Karen Hills, commented on the need for a mental reset after a challenging series of matches, allowing players time to recharge before returning to face Southampton. Liverpool manager Gareth Taylor echoed this sentiment, appreciating the opportunity to step back and recognize life beyond football.
While rest and recovery are crucial, and this break may offer necessary recuperation before the hectic final month of the season, an effective use of this weekend could have facilitated an earlier conclusion to the domestic season, granting players a more extended off-season.
Moreover, for a sport striving to cultivate a dedicated fanbase, gaps like this can disrupt the continuity needed for attracting new attendees to women’s matches. This situation adds to the challenges faced by women’s football fans. For instance, Aston Villa supporters are left uncertain about their next match. Their home game against Arsenal is scheduled for April 26 but is likely to be rescheduled due to Arsenal’s participation in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, which, inconveniently for domestic leagues and fans, occur on weekends rather than during the week.
Consequently, Villa’s last home game of the season occurred on March 15. Under such circumstances, fostering a match-going culture becomes increasingly difficult.
Looking ahead, similar scheduling issues are anticipated for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029, as three-match international windows are planned for February, April, and November-December in those seasons as well. This challenge appears to be a persistent issue for the sport.
