A new era in women’s soccer has begun with the launch of World Sevens Football (W7F), a seven-a-side global tournament series that promises fast-paced action and big rewards. The inaugural event kicked off in Portugal on May 21, 2025, just days before the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
W7F plans to follow a format similar to tennis’ Grand Slams, with multiple tournaments hosted in major football-loving cities. Each event will feature eight professional women’s teams competing for a total prize pool of $5 million. The winning team will take home $2.5 million.
Big Names Back Big Ideas
The W7F is co-founded by Jennifer Mackesy, a minority owner of both Gotham FC in the NWSL and Chelsea FC in the WSL. The venture is supported by several high-profile players, including two-time World Cup champions Tobin Heath and Kelley O’Hara of the USWNT.
Heath is leading W7F’s player advisory council, which includes O’Hara, as well as retired international stars Anita Asante (England), Caroline Seger (Sweden), and Laura Georges (France), all of whom are shareholders in the organization.
Aly Wagner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of Bay FC, is serving as the chief of strategy for W7F.
“This groundbreaking format brings new energy to the game,” said O’Hara in a press release. “It gives female footballers a global platform and a chance to compete for a major prize.”
Heath added, “This is about legacy — giving women in football greater opportunities and financial security. As a 1v1 player, this format is a dream come true.”
Fast Games, Big Stakes
Each match in the W7F series is played between two teams of seven players, with games consisting of two 15-minute halves. Extra time is possible for tiebreakers. Teams manage their own rosters, giving clubs full control over their strategy and squad.
The first W7F tournament in Portugal includes top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Manchester United. These four teams secured wins in their first two matches, earning spots in the knockout rounds set for Friday, May 23.
Players like Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce are also taking part before reporting to the USWNT training camp next week.
For clubs like AS Roma, FC Rosengård, Benfica, and the Netherlands team, early losses have ruled them out of the competition.
Broadcast and What’s Next
DAZN, already the broadcaster for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, will serve as the official global partner for W7F, handling broadcasting, production, and marketing.
The semifinals begin at 10 AM ET on Friday, followed by the championship match at 3 PM ET. Another W7F tournament is already planned for North America later this year.
With high-profile players, major funding, and a unique format, W7F is setting a new standard for women’s soccer.
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