Mexican women’s soccer has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from obscurity to a sport capturing national attention. Once overlooked, the Liga MX Femenil is now experiencing exponential growth, evidenced by soaring attendance figures, record viewership, and increasing recognition for its players. This surge in popularity marks a significant shift in the Mexican sporting landscape, mirroring broader advancements for women in Mexican society.
The journey to prominence for women’s professional soccer in Mexico was not immediate. As Mexican striker Charlyn Corral’s move to Spain in 2015 highlights, opportunities were limited at home. The absence of a professional league forced talented players to seek opportunities abroad. However, this situation catalyzed change, leading to the establishment of Liga MX Femenil in 2017. The league adopted a two-tournament season structure, mirroring the men’s league, with the Clausura running from January to May and the Apertura from late summer to late autumn. This structured approach provided a platform for consistent competition and development.
The impact of Liga MX Femenil has been swift and profound. Charlyn Corral, who returned to Mexico to play for Pachuca, notes the rapid change: “The growth has been exponential, I can tell it was very fast. It’s nice to see that every day more people know who you are.” This increased visibility extends beyond dedicated women’s soccer circles, with national team players now enjoying widespread recognition. The passionate fanbase is a key factor in this growth. The league final witnessed an astonishing turnout of over 50,000 fans, demonstrating the burgeoning popularity of women’s club soccer in Mexico. This level of support is not an isolated incident. Monterrey, for example, boasted an average home game attendance of 11,428 during their Apertura championship run, showcasing consistent and enthusiastic local support for women’s soccer teams.
Pamela Tajonar, Monterrey’s goalkeeper with Barcelona experience, emphasizes the nationwide phenomenon: “It’s been incredible all the support, not just here but in the whole country — of course there are places with less fans, but in Monterrey it has been incredible.” This widespread enthusiasm is reflected in official statistics. A FIFA report from the 2021-22 season revealed Liga MX Femenil as having the second-highest average attendance globally for women’s soccer leagues, trailing only the NWSL in the United States and surpassing established leagues like England’s Women’s Super League in certain periods. The Mexican Football Federation further highlights this growing interest, reporting that 26 million out of 34 million soccer fans in Mexico are interested in the women’s league.
Mariana Gutierrez, Liga MX Femenil president, points to a cultural shift driving this momentum: “The interest in women’s soccer is growing, we are in the conversation now and changing narratives, and that allows us to talk about how much the game has been developing in the country.” Several factors contribute to this surge in interest and attendance. A significant advantage for Liga MX Femenil is its structural integration with the men’s professional league. Women’s teams are affiliated with top-flight men’s clubs and crucially, share the same stadiums. This shared infrastructure provides women’s teams with access to established venues and fan bases, inherently boosting visibility and attendance.
Beyond stadium attendance, Liga MX Femenil is also capturing a significant audience through broadcasting. The 10th round of the Apertura tournament set a league viewership record with 5.75 million viewers tuning in, surpassing the previous record of 4.61 million set in the Clausura of 2024. This impressive viewership underscores the growing market for women’s soccer content in Mexico and its increasing integration into the national sports media landscape.
The rise of Liga MX Femenil is not isolated to the sporting arena; it reflects broader societal changes in Mexico. The election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico’s first female president symbolizes a broader movement toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. While challenges persist, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities, the success of women’s soccer mirrors a growing recognition of women’s capabilities and achievements across various sectors.
For players like Stephany Mayor, who has represented Mexico in two Women’s World Cups, the growth of the league validates years of dedication and perseverance. She recounts overcoming early discouragement: “People used to tell me, ‘Don’t play soccer, focus on your career and get to work.’ But I wanted to be a soccer player, and I said I’m going to make it and live out this profession.” The expansion of organized soccer for girls and women in Mexico is further testament to this progress, jumping from 50,000 participants in 2019 to 1.5 million last year, according to FIFA.
This grassroots growth is directly translating to improved performance at the national team level. Once overlooked, the Mexican women’s national team is now achieving unprecedented success in international competitions. Recent victories include a gold medal at the Central American Games, a historic first-ever gold at the Pan American Games, and a notable 2-0 victory against the United States in the Gold Cup. Andrea Rodebaugh, the director of national teams and former national team captain, emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between a strong domestic league and national team success: “For the national team it’s important to have strong and committed clubs because then you can have great players and a solid national team.”
While Mexico missed qualification for the last Women’s World Cup and the Paris Olympics, the current trajectory is undeniably positive. National coach Pedro Lopez expresses confidence in the future: “We have the means to have a good team, Mexico has the infrastructure, strong clubs, a strong federation and talented girls that are gaining confidence… We have talented players, we have everything to be a contender, we just need to believe it and gain more confidence.”
The Liga MX Femenil stands as a compelling success story of growth, fueled by passionate fans, dedicated players, and strategic development. As Mariana Gutierrez concludes, “In Mexico, everybody breathes soccer, and the gender is not that important, that is why the women’s league is gaining relevance. Mexico is doing it great with women’s soccer so far.” The future of women’s soccer in Mexico appears bright, poised for continued expansion and greater achievements on both the domestic and international stages, solidifying the Liga MX Femenil’s place as a significant force in the world of soccer.
