The 50 Most Influential Women in Sport 2025: A Year in Review

Reflecting on an Epic Year in Women's Sport

• 🏆 Euro 2025 was a highlight, with England securing their second tournament win in a dramatic fashion, marked by nail-biting matches and clutch performances.
• 🏉 The Women's Rugby World Cup saw record-breaking crowds at Twickenham, with an attendance of 81,885 for the final, demonstrating the growing popularity and viewership of women's sports.
• ⚽ Arsenal's unexpected Champions League victory was a significant moment, especially given their challenging season start and a new head coach, highlighting resilience and triumph.

Athlete Insights and Experiences

• 🤝 Interviews with Alessia Russo and Jess Breach revealed their instant synergy and shared reflections on a momentous year for women's sport.
• 🗣️ Billy Jean King shared her visionary perspectives, emphasizing female empowerment and advocating for respect and love, even on contentious issues like trans athletes.
• 👟 Emma Raducanu bravely spoke about her experience with a stalker, raising awareness about a taboo issue and encouraging other female athletes to share their experiences.
• 🎽 Tess Howard championed inclusive sportsware, successfully campaigning for the choice of shorts over skirts in hockey and promoting similar changes in other sports.

Ongoing Issues and Challenges in Women's Sport

• ⚠️ Investigations into rape and harassment at the Leander Club highlight that not all is as positive as it seems beneath the surface of women's sport.
• 🗓️ Concerns persist regarding the player calendar and ACL injuries, with a lack of significant change despite ongoing discussions.
• 👩‍🏫 A notable lack of female coaches in sports like football and rugby is a disappointment, underscoring the need for more women in decision-making and leadership roles.

The 50 Most Influential Women in Sport 2025 List

• 🌟 The list prioritizes influence over power, recognizing athletes who use their platforms for advocacy and change, alongside administrators and coaches.
• 🥇 Kirsty Coventry tops the list as the new president of the International Olympic Committee, making history as the first female, African, and youngest to hold the position, and is addressing key issues like transgender athletes and climate change.
• 🏃‍♀️ Lucy Bronze is recognized for her performance with a broken leg and for speaking out about her autism, using her platform to make a significant impact.
• ⚽ Chloe Kelly is highlighted for her iconic winning goals and for forcing a transfer to secure game time, demonstrating her determination and influence.
• 💡 The list aims to provoke debate and conversation, acknowledging that individual lists will vary, but emphasizing the importance of celebrating influential women in sport.

Looking Ahead: Hopes for 2026

• 💰 Continued investment in women's sport is crucial, building on the momentum of 2025 and ensuring that major tournament successes trigger sustained financial support.
• 🔬 Increased research into women's health and bodies is needed, as only 6% of sports science research is conducted on women, highlighting gaps in understanding athletic performance and well-being.
• 🤼‍♀️ A desire for more jeopardy and competitiveness across women's sports is expressed, moving away from predictable outcomes to foster greater engagement and growth.