Women’s sports are no longer in the shadows, in fact, they are taking a central stage. As global audiences grow, betting on women’s competitions is reaching new heights. With sportsbooks expanding their offerings and fans eager to place wagers on women’s competitions, the market is experiencing unprecedented momentum. Let’s discover more about this growing interest throughout this post.
The Betting Boom: Why Women’s Sports Are Attracting More Wagers
Recent trends show a significant rise in betting on women’s sports. The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) saw a 108% increase in betting activity during the 2024 regular season, according to BetMGM. Women's football is also gaining traction, with the 2023 Women's World Cup experiencing a 365% surge in bets compared to the 2019 tournament, as reported by TAB New Zealand.
This surge is not limited to traditional sports. Emerging leagues, such as women's volleyball, have attracted substantial investments, with $100 million recently injected into a women's volleyball league. Investors aim to replicate the success seen in the major leagues by leveraging broadcasting deals, corporate sponsorships, and betting opportunities.
How Media Coverage Is Fueling the Popularity of Women’s Competitions
Media coverage is one of the key driving factors fueling the increased interest in betting on women’s sports. According to Forbes, media coverage of women’s sports has tripled over the past few years. Between 2019 and 2022, women’s sports accounted for 15% of total sports coverage. As of 2025, this figure is projected to rise to 20%, reflecting a significant shift in visibility and recognition, according to the Current.
This growth is fueled by historic moments across collegiate and professional sports. The 2023 Nebraska Huskers Women’s Volleyball match set a new record for the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s sporting event in the U.S., drawing 92,003 fans. Shortly after, Iowa Women’s Basketball shattered attendance records with the Crossover at Kinnick, where 55,646 fans gathered to watch their exhibition victory over DePaul, the first NCAA women’s basketball game played outdoors in a football stadium.
The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship between Iowa and South Carolina drew 18.9 million viewers, peaking at 24.1 million, making it the most-watched college basketball game in ESPN history and the second most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history, behind only the 2015 Women’s World Cup Final.
Who is Driving Media Interest
However, a more interesting insight is the factor driving increased interest in media in women’s sports. This key factor is athletes whose performances are capturing audiences worldwide. These women showed incredible performance and resilience throughout all their games and career in sports.
One such high-profile athlete is Paige Bueckers, whose exceptional talent drew attention to women’s basketball, leading to record-breaking attendance and viewership. Bueckers' ability to perform under pressure has generated massive media attention, making her a household name in women’s college basketball.
Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis superstar, has become one of the most successful and well-known athletes in the Asia-Pacific region. She has won four Grand Slam singles titles, including two US Open titles (2018 and 2020) and two Australian Open titles (2019 and 2021). Osaka has been celebrated for her powerful game, mental resilience, and her ability to perform on the biggest stages, solidifying her place as one of the top players in the world.
Similarly, according to the NY Post, Caitlin Clark has become one of the most electrifying figures in basketball, with her games averaging 1.178 million viewers on TV, nearly tripling the viewership of other WNBA games, which averaged 394,000. Clark, who plays for the University of Iowa, has captivated audiences with her remarkable scoring ability, including a record-breaking 54-point game against Iowa State. She has been the NCAA's leading scorer and assists leader, securing her spot as a dominant force in women’s college basketball.
In volleyball, Winifer Fernández from the Dominican Republic gained international attention not only for her athletic prowess but also for her dynamic playing style and charisma on the court. Her performances have contributed to a growing global interest in women's volleyball, inspiring many young athletes worldwide.
What are the Key Women’s Sports Driving the Betting Market
According to Flutter, while men's sports have traditionally dominated the betting landscape, certain women's sports surpassed their male counterparts in specific contexts. For example, during the 2024 Paris Olympics, 60% of all soccer bets placed through FanDuel were on women's matches.
That’s not all, in fact, there are a number of women's sports that are driving the increased interest in betting. Gymnastics has emerged as a powerhouse in women’s sports betting, particularly during Olympic events. The 2024 Paris Olympics had an impressive 79% of gymnastics wagers placed on women’s events.
Women’s basketball, particularly the WNBA and NCAA, has seen explosive growth in betting activity. The 2024 WNBA season opening night witnessed a staggering 516% increase in bet counts, as reported by Caesars Sportsbook in the Receptional. Meanwhile, the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament set new records. BetMGM reported that the amount of money bet on WNBA futures, such as predictions for the league’s championship team and MVPs, rose by 175%, while FanDuel experienced a 139% increase in bet counts for the first two rounds. The NCAA championship game between Iowa and South Carolina attracted a peak viewership of 24 million, surpassing the men’s title game for the first time.
According to different reports, there has also been a 57% increase in betting on women’s volleyball and an over 89.2% increase in betting volume on women's handball from 2023 to 2024. Factors driving this increased betting interest vary. For instance, one of the major contributors to the increase in betting activity on women’s handball is a high percentage of favorite teams winning matches, with 83.93% in 2023, according to OLGB, indicating a stable and predictable environment that may attract bettors.
To Sum Up
With this momentum, we want to celebrate all women, whether in sports or beyond, recognizing their resilience, courage, determination, and kindness. Your impact on sports and the world is undeniable.
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