Soccer

Despite attendance dip, NWSL exhibits overall growth driven by young women fans

There’s been a dip in YoY NWSL attendance, but that stat doesn’t exactly tell the whole story. Last week, the league shared insightful data on attendance, viewership, and social media records that women’s soccer fans smashed this year, all of which point to who’s winning the most with NWSL growth: Young women fans.

November 14, 2025

No. 1 seed AFC Toronto takes on No. 3 Vancouver Rise FC in first-ever NSL Final

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The first-ever Northern Super League (NSL) champion will be crowned when No. 1 seed AFC Toronto and No. 3 Vancouver Rise FC meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. Ahead of kickoff, here’s what you need to know about the NSL’s historic inaugural season and, of course, the winner-take-all match.

November 14, 2025

Four previous champions advance to NWSL semis

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ICYMI: The four teams competing in this weekend’s NWSL Playoffs semis are the four previous league champs dating back to 2021. With postseason experience everywhere you look and the No. 1 seed already stunningly eliminated, the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

November 14, 2025

A drama-filled first round of the NWSL Playoffs

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The NWSL served up peak playoff anarchy this weekend, with a whole lot of extra time, a record-breaking expansion announcement, and enough adrenaline to last until next weekend’s semifinals. See how your playoff bracket’s holding up, then relive the thrilling quarter-final action with us.

November 10, 2025

Breaking down the 2025 NWSL Playoffs

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We’re back in your inbox because the NWSL playoffs begin tonight, with the reigning champ and No. 4 seed Orlando Pride hosting No. 5 Seattle Reign in the first of four quarter-final (QF) games. To celebrate, we have a full playoff preview, including the storylines you need to know before the first whistle, a match-by-match QF breakdown, and of course, where to catch all the action.

November 07, 2025

Dove amplifies winning marketing message through continued women’s sports campaigns

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Last week, Dove rolled out its latest women’s sports campaign, “#ChangeTheCompliment,” by activating with NSL team AFC Toronto for its October 19th playoff game. The brand, which has spent years building women’s confidence with diverse representations of beauty, is seizing open opportunities in women’s sports — and for good reason.

October 31, 2025

K-pop activation at MLS playoff game signals prime opportunity for women’s sports to play into K-pop fandom

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Korean entertainment company HYBE (which cultivated K-pop sensations BTS and Katseye) is getting into sports, sponsoring MLS club LAFC’s first playoff game later today at BMO Stadium. Inspired by Korean player Son Heung-Min’s impact on the team, HYBE is celebrating Korean culture with popular eats from Koreatown staple Love Hour and a lightshow set to K-pop hits.

October 29, 2025

Black Star shares details amid upcoming player showcase amid data proving power of Black soccer fandom

Sports Business

Black Star shares details amid upcoming player showcase amid data proving power of Black soccer fandom

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October 29, 2025

Today, Black Star — ForSoccer’s media and events brand cultivating Black soccer culture — announced the player lineup and an exclusive capsule collection for the Allstate Next Wave National Showcase, the first national showcase displaying the skills of the top-ranked Black women soccer players in the U.S.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #508

Talkin’ NSL with Canadian soccer royalty, Diana Matheson

November 13, 2025

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Talkin’ NSL with Canadian soccer royalty, Diana Matheson

An early holiday present, no wrapping required.

Struggling to find a gift for the women’s soccer fan in your life? Send ’em this podcast because today’s episode of The GIST of It features Canadian soccer royalty. Diana Matheson is a CanWNT team legend, a two-time Olympic medalist, and founder and Chief Growth Officer of the Northern Super League (NSL). Tune in to listen to Matheson and co-host Ellen Hyslop yap about everything from the business of starting Canada’s first domestic pro women’s soccer league to a very special napkin. You won’t want to miss it.

A big thank you to BMO for sponsoring today’s pod! BMO has been committed to growing the beautiful game in North America for two decades. Today, BMO supports the NWSL’s Angel City FC and is the official bank of the Northern Super League. Learn more by visiting our Soccer Help Desk today.