Manchester United is among the eight clubs confirmed for the inaugural Women’s World Sevens tournament, set to take place in Estoril, Portugal, from May 21-23, 2025. The competition, which kicks off just days before the Women’s Champions League final, marks a significant milestone in women’s football, offering a prize pool of $5 million (£3.76 million).

United will be joined by top European clubs, including Ajax, Benfica, and Bayern Munich. The remaining four participating clubs are yet to be announced, with no confirmation on whether teams from outside of Europe will be involved.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of something new for the women’s game,” said Manchester United manager Marc Skinner, expressing his enthusiasm for the tournament.

Prize Money and Distribution Details

The Women’s World Sevens will feature a generous $5 million prize pool, significantly higher than the Women’s Champions League and Women’s Super League payouts. For comparison, the 2025 Champions League winners will receive up to 1.4 million euros (£1.2 million), while the Women’s Super League champions are set to earn £500,000.

Jennifer Mackesy, minority owner of Gotham FC and Chelsea FC, has invested in the competition to fund the prize pool. The prize money will be divided among the clubs, players, and staff, with specifics to be determined by each club’s contractual arrangements.

“Each position from first to fourth will have a split between the club, players, and staff,” said Adrian Jacobs, head of football at Women’s World Sevens. “While it’s contractual that a portion goes to the staff and players, we are not specifying exactly how this will be distributed, as each club has different arrangements.”

Player Participation and Euro 2025 Concerns

The timing of the tournament—just three days before the Women’s Champions League final and six weeks before Euro 2025—has raised questions about player availability. Some Euro 2025-bound players may be involved, but roster details have not been finalized. Despite these concerns, Jacobs confirmed that first-team squads will participate, with some players potentially using the event as an opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.

Shorter Games and Squad Flexibility

Matches will be played on a smaller, half-sized pitch, with teams of up to 25 players allowed, though only 14 can compete at any given time. The format will feature 15-minute halves, with extra time used to decide ties. The tournament’s shorter format and unlimited substitutions will help clubs manage player load, particularly with larger squads.

Broadcast and Player Welfare Concerns

World Sevens Football has secured a multi-year broadcast deal with DAZN, with matches also expected to be shown on club websites or streaming platforms.

Player welfare remains a key consideration for the organizers. Former England defender and BBC Sport pundit Anita Asante, a member of the player advisory council, assured that the tournament’s format has been designed with player safety in mind. “The short-format games and bigger squads will help manage player minutes,” she said, adding that the players were excited to participate.

Tournament’s Vision and Social Impact

The creation of the Women’s World Sevens aims to drive investment in women’s football and provide a platform for talent development. The competition also seeks to engage grassroots clubs and communities, with the goal of creating a lasting social impact.

“We didn’t want it to just be about these top clubs and players. We want to have a social impact and engage with grassroots football,” said Asante.

United’s Marc Skinner echoed the sentiment, highlighting the potential for the tournament to provide valuable opportunities for players not involved in Euro 2025.