The shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Football Awards has been revealed, setting the stage for another landmark evening celebrating the continued rise of the women’s game. 

Now in its fourth year, the awards will take place on Thursday, 7 May 2026, bringing together the biggest names in football and the media and sports industries, as well as celebrity fans of the women’s game.

Sports broadcasting royalty Gabby Logan will host the ceremony, with Jamie Carragher returning as co-host for what promises to be an unforgettable night recognising the individuals, organisations and brands driving the extraordinary growth of women’s football.

This year’s shortlist reflects the strength, diversity and global reach of the sport – from world-class players and emerging young talent to pioneering brands, visionary business leaders and community champions.

Standout nominees include leading domestic stars such as Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw, Alessia Russo and Vivianne Miedema, alongside global icons including Alèxia Putellas, Ewa Pajor and Linda Caicedo. Off the pitch, influential executives, organisations and brands continue to push boundaries – accelerating investment, increasing visibility and shaping the long-term future of the game.

Gabby Logan, Host of the 2026 Women’s Football Awards, said:

 “This event shines a deserved spotlight on the star athletes, dedicated teams and organisations driving the extraordinary rise of women’s football. It is a moment of celebration for the whole game.”

Jamie Carragher, Co-Host, added:

“The shortlist reflects just how powerful and dynamic the women’s game has become – not just on the pitch, but across business, media and culture. These awards recognise the trailblazers and innovators shaping the future of women’s football. I can’t wait to celebrate with the nominees on 7 May.”

The 2026 Women’s Football Awards promises to be a defining celebration of a sport that continues to break new ground, attract record audiences and inspire the next generation. Winners are decided by a mix of public vote and judging panel. 

2026 Women’s Football Awards Shortlist: 

Player of the Year

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)
Jess Park (Manchester United)
Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)

Young Player of the Year

Tōko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur)
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City)
Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
Grace Clinton (Manchester City)
Aoba Fujino (Manchester City)
Nelly Las (Leicester City)
Ruby Mace (Everton)
Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur)

International Player of the Year

Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona)
Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint-Germain)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Victoria López (Barcelona)

Club of the Year

Manchester City
Wrexham
London City Lionesses
Manchester United
Chelsea
Glasgow City
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Charlton Athletic
Hearts
Brighton & Hove Albion

Media Figure of the Year

Kelly Cates
Karen Carney MBE
Lianne Sanderson
Laura Woods
Reshmin Chowdhury
Alex Scott MBE
Mina Ibrahim
Suzanne Wrack
Katie Whyatt
Faye Carruthers
Mollie and Rosie Kmita

Best Marketing Campaign

Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here
AXA – Keep On Kicking
Lidl – Never Stop Growing
Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game
Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period.
PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More
Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger
The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game
WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This
Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME
Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans

Best Grassroots Initiative

Liverpool FA – She Inspires
GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme
Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs
McDonald’s – Fun Football
Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme
Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI
Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling
Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids
Manchester City – City in the Community
SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership

Brand of the Year

Lucozade Sport
Adidas
EA Sports
British Gas
Skoda UK
Rexona
Barclays
Adobe
Three UK
VISA
Nike

Best Social Media

Juventus
The FA – Lionesses
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur
Bristol City
Manchester United
Rangers
Manchester City
Adobe – Women’s FA Cup

Global Impact Award

PlayStation
VisitMalta
VISA
Adidas
Iberdrola
PepsiCo
Booking.com
Amazon
Google Pixel
Kynisca
Nike

Best Fan Engagement

Disney+
EA Sports
Chelsea
London City Lionesses
Birmingham City
Panini
Glasgow City
Havas Play
Charlton Athletic
TikTok
YouTube

Legal Team of the Year

Linklaters
RPC
Thackray Williams
Evelyn Partners
Lawrence Stephens Limited
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team
Capital Law
Mills & Reeve
Paul Robinson Solicitors
Bird & Bird

Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Admiral
Lidl
Adobe
Unilever
Domestic & General
Xero
Apple
RSK
Bute Energy
The Premier League
Deloitte

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award

Arsenal
EE
Pixel FC Academy
The FA
West Ham United
Mastercard
Utilita
Brighton & Hove Albion
VISA
Three UK
Liverpool

Community Impact Award

Sunderland
Carpenters Group
Bristol City
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Her Game Too
Xero
London City Lionesses
Domis
Brighton & Hove Albion
E.ON
Goals4Girls

Football Business of the Year

ORRECO
Mercury13
We Are Athlete
CAA SPORTS
Gravity Media
LiveScore Group
Foudys
EA Sports
Kynsica
Sportfive
Twenty3

Football Agency of the Year

Wasserman
CAA SPORTS
CMG SPORTS
Gen Z Football
Ignite Talent
Tongue Tied Management
PLG
A&V Sports Group
Gestifute
Livida Sport
Quantum Sport

Football Business Trailblazer

Kay Cossington
Aki Mandhar
Maggie Murphy
Sarah Batters
Zoe Johnson
Jemma White
Sola Kasali
Charlotte O’Neill
Laura Downey
Laura Montgomery
Liz Ellen

Best Breakthrough Business

E.l.f Beauty
Modibodi
Mercedes-Benz UK
Airbnb
British Gas
Guinness
AFTA Studios
PLG
Revolut
Skechers
Crocs EU

Women’s Football Champion

Rose Read
Nadine Kessler
Nikki Doucet
Jemma White
Michele Kang
Ebru Köksal
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Joelle Murray
Rachel Pavlou
Simone Pound MBE
Vic Akers OBE

Game Changer Award

Rachel Yankey OBE
Gillian Coultard MBE
Eartha Pond
Shelley Kerr MBE
Kelly Smith MBE
Nikita Parris
Ellen White MBE
Gilly Flaherty
Fran Kirby
Ini Umotong
Jess Fishlock MBE

Off The Pitch Award

Stephen Lansdown CBE
Michael Williamson
Matt Johnson
Bethan Woolley
Tammy Parlour MBE
Lungi Macebo
Rachel Pavlou
Liz Ellen
Lola Ogunbote
Helen Hardy
Jo Osborne

Both the Inspirational Role Model Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided by the judging panel, with the recipients announced at the ceremony.