The shortlist for the 2025 Women’s Football Awards has been unveiled, setting the stage for a star-studded evening in London on Thursday, 1 May. Now in its third year, the Women’s Football Awards celebrates the people, brands, and organisations making a significant impact on the continued growth of women’s football.
The event will be hosted by BBC broadcaster Gabby Logan, Liverpool FC legend and Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher, and former Lioness Eni Aluko. Together, they will guide the evening, which will honour the outstanding achievements of individuals, organisations and teams across the women’s game.
Chelsea’s Lauren James, Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Arsenal’s Leah Williamson, and Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones are some of the star Women’s Super League footballers on the shortlist.
International football superstars including Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo, Bayern Munich’s Georgia Stanway and Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas are also nominated.
Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United are in the running for Best Club of the Year.
The Off the Pitch Award, which recognises those who have shown a continued dedication to growing the women’s game, also returns. This year’s nominees include The FA’s Debbie Hewitt, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Paul Barber, and Manchester City Women’s Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill. Legendary footballer Ian Wright, recognised for his efforts to elevate women’s football, is also shortlisted for an award.
Additionally, the shortlist for Broadcaster or Journalist of the Year features leading figures such as Alex Scott, Karen Carney, and Sky Sports’ Hayley McQueen.
In the Grassroots Initiative of the Year category, nominees include McDonald’s, Football Beyond Borders, Starling Bank, the Chelsea Foundation, UEFA, Disney, Liverpool FC, and Expedia – organisations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering grassroots growth in women’s football.
Several global brands with a major commitment to women’s football, including Google Pixel, Xero, ScottishPower, Three UK, Barclays, EA Sports, Nike, eToro, Just Eat, Adobe, Amazon, and Adidas, also feature on the shortlist. These companies are recognised for their outstanding support of the sport, both on and off the pitch.
The Lifetime Achievement Award and Unsung Hero Award winners will be revealed on the night.
Gabby Logan, Host of the 2025 Women’s Football Awards, said:
“The Women’s Football Awards continues to grow year after year, shining a deserved spotlight on the star athletes, dedicated teams, and organisations driving the extraordinary rise of women’s football. The impact of women’s football has never been greater, and I’m excited to celebrate all of the inspirational nominees.”
Jamie Carragher, Co-Host, added:
“This year’s shortlist is filled with incredible people and organisations who are pushing the boundaries of women’s football. The 2025 Women’s Football Awards will be a night to celebrate the trailblazers and game-changers who continue to inspire future generations of players, fans, and supporters.”
Eni Aluko, Co-Host and former Lioness, said:
“I am incredibly proud to witness the growth of this event. The Women’s Football Awards is the biggest and best celebration of women’s football in Europe. It brings together the leading personalities who support the women’s game. I can’t wait to celebrate with all of the deserving nominees and winners on 1st May.”
With the event fast approaching, excitement is building for what promises to be a landmark evening celebrating the vibrant and dynamic world of women’s football.
Shihong Liu, from sponsors SHEIN, who have partnered with the Women’s Football Awards since 2023, said:
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Women’s Football Awards for the third consecutive year to honour the groundbreaking achievements of women and girls in football. Our continued involvement also reinforces our commitment to empowering young women and girls in sport across the UK, particularly through initiatives like Football For Change.
This is a truly exceptional event, and we look forward to celebrating the inspirational nominees and winners on 1st May.”
Event partners include The Premier League, Shein, VISA, Linklaters, Morrisons and Panini.
Full 2025 Women’s Football Awards shortlist:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY LINKLATERS:
Jessica Naz, Tottenham Hotspur
Lauren James, Chelsea
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Manchester City
Alessia Russo, Arsenal
Bethany England, Tottenham Hotspur
Ella Toone, Manchester United
Frida Maanum, Arsenal
Vivianne Miedema, Manchester City
Guro Reiten, Chelsea
Viviane Asseyi, West Ham
Mary Fowler, Manchester City
Leah Williamson, Arsenal
INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Clara Matéo, Paris FC
Georgia Stanway, Bayern Munich
Linda Caicedo Alegría, Real Madrid
Caroline Graham Hansen, Barcelona
Aitana Bonmatí Conca, Barcelona
Alexia Putellas, Barcelona
Kadidiatou Diani, Lyon
Marie-Antoinette Oda Katoto, Paris Saint-Germain
Pernille Harder, FC Bayern Munich
Christiane Endler, Lyon
Lea Schüller, Bayern Munich
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Paris FC
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY MORRISONS:
Anouk Denton, West Ham
Issy Hobson, Sheffield United
Michelle Agyemang, Brighton & Hove Albion
Aggie Beever-Jones, Chelsea
Kyra Cooney-Cross, Arsenal
Grace Clinton, Manchester United
Olivia Smith, Liverpool FC
Laura Blindkilde Brown, Manchester City
Elisabeth Terland, Manchester United
Lenna Gunning-Williams, Tottenham Hotspur
Missy Goodwin, Leicester City
Katie Robinson, Aston Villa
MANAGER OR COACH AWARD:
Sonia Bompastor
Sarina Wiegman
Amy Merricks
Marc Skinner
Robert Vilahamn
Jocelyn Prêcheur
Nick Cushing
Karen Hills
Dario Vidošić
Jo Potter
Leanne Ross
Grant Scott
GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR:
Women’s Sport Trust
Girls United FA
Chelsea Foundation, Inspire Her Project
Everton in the Community, Kicks Girls Goals Hour
Premier League Kicks
UEFA Playmakers inspired by Disney
McDonald’s, Fun Football
Liverpool FC and Expedia, Free Fan Travel Initiative
Starling Bank, Kick On With Starling
Football Beyond Borders
Manchester United Foundation, Girls’ Football Development
MSB Woolton FC
BEST CLUB OF THE YEAR:
Chelsea
Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal
Liverpool
Glasgow City
Hibernian
Manchester United
Birmingham City
Manchester City
London City Lionesses
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham
BRAND OF THE YEAR:
Barclays
Three UK
EA Sports
Holland & Barrett
ScottishPower
Just Eat Takeaway.com
Visa
Adobe
Adidas
Nike
Unilever (Rexona)
Subway
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CHAMPION OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY PANINI:
Dawn Airey CBE
Nikki Doucet
Ian Wright OBE
Aileen Campbell
Nadine Kessler
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Hannah Brown
Sue Day MBE
Caz May
Chloe Morgan
Ebru Köksal
Victoire Cogevina Reynal
BROADCASTER OR JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Karen Carney OBE
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Reshmin Chowdhury
Hayley McQueen
Sirayah Shiraz
Laura Woods
Alex Scott MBE
Flo Lloyd-Hughes
Pien Meulensteen
Izzy Christiansen
Charlotte Harpur
Seema Jaswal
Jo Currie
OFF THE PITCH AWARD:
Kelly Simmons OBE
Tammy Parlour MBE
Paul Barber
Laura Youngson
Gemma Owen
Katy Bowman
Preeti Shetty
Fiona McIntyre
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Charlotte O’Neill
Lola Ogunbote,
Carol Couse
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD, SPONSORED BY THE PREMIER LEAGUE:
AXA
Stanley Black & Decker
Google Pixel
Sport England
Heineken
Evelyn Partners
The FA
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Standard Chartered
Sky Sports
Tottenham Hotspur
TNT Sports
OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:
TGI Fridays
Puma
ScottishPower
Starling Bank
Amazon
Xero
PwC
Deloitte
trivago
Three UK
Barclays
Weetabix
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR:
The FA, Made For This Game
Persil/Arsenal WFC, Every Stain Should Be Part of the Game
Three UK, #WeSeeYou Network
Heineken, The Social Swap
Holland & Barrett, The Movement Movement
Women In Sport, #LetHerDream
Adidas, Recreation of 2006 JOSE+10 campaign
Adobe, Adobe Gamechangers
Amazon/Adam&Eve DDB, The Grit
M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment/ Barclays, It All Starts With A Chance
Rexona, Breaking Limits
Visa, Pep Talks
BEST BREAKTHROUGH BUSINESS:
Victoria’s Secret
Nutriburst
Foudys
Lidl
Mitre
eToro
Snapdragon
IL MAKIAGE
Havas Play
Garmin
LiveScore
Revolut
FOOTBALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:
Wasserman
CMG Sports
REPT Sports
ignite talent
Complete Sports Group
Crux Sports
Gravity Media
DAZN
CAA Sports
A&V Sports
EA Sports
Tongue Tied Management
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN:
The FA, Lionesses
Bluebella Lingerie, Strong Is Beautiful
Adobe, Women’s FA Cup
Manchester City Women’s Football Club
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club Women
Heineken, The Social Swap
Chelsea Football Club Women
Bristol City Women’s Football Club
GirlsontheBall
Diversity Media Sales and Goals 4 Girls, It’s Her Game
UEFA, Off Mute
FC Barcelona Femení
BEST FAN ENGAGEMENT:
DAZN
Sky Sports
Hibernian WFC
Just Eat Takeaway.com
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC
Manchester United Women
Liverpool FC Women
Panini
Pixel FC Academy
Aston Villa Women
Chelsea Women
Birmingham City Women
GAME CHANGER AWARD:
Fara Williams MBE
Rachel Yankey OBE
Toni Duggan
Gillian Coultard MBE
Eartha Pond
Jill Scott MBE
Shelley Kerr MBE
Kelly Smith MBE
Julie Fleeting MBE
Emma Hayes OBE
Jen Beattie MBE
Anita Asante
FOOTBALL BUSINESS TRAILBLAZER:
Nicole Pacitti
Ellie Cross
Susan Whelan OBE
Susan Black
Anna Deignan
Marijn Luchtman
Heidi Savitt
Collette Roche
Bex Smith
Michele Kang
Georgie Hodge
Christina Taylor
LEGAL TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Brabners
Lawrence Stephens
Livida Sport
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Norton Rose Fulbright
Mishcon de Reya
Farrer & Co
Mills & Reeve
Bird & Bird
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Brandsmiths
RPC