Fantasy NWSL Brings More Fans Into Women’s Football

Fantasy NWSL is bringing a fresh experience to women’s soccer fans, proving that fantasy football isn’t just for men’s leagues. Co-founder and CEO Dani Gonçalves believes the app has the potential to expand the reach of women’s soccer and engage a new audience.

“This isn’t just about a game. It’s about fueling a movement and pushing women’s soccer forward.” – Dani Gonçalves, Co-founder and CEO.

Fantasy sports have long been a staple in men’s leagues, with millions of players actively involved in Fantasy Premier League and NFL Fantasy Football. However, women’s sports have largely been overlooked in this space.

Gonçalves and her co-founder recognized this gap and set out to change it. After successfully launching Fantasy WSL in England, they decided to take the next step—introducing Fantasy NWSL for fans of the U.S.-based National Women’s Soccer League.

The Vision Behind Fantasy NWSL

The idea for a women’s fantasy football platform came from their own struggles as fans. Gonçalves and her co-founder, both based in London, found it easy to follow men’s football through fantasy leagues. However, staying engaged with the Women’s Super League (WSL) was far more difficult. Their solution? Create a well-designed, free-to-play fantasy game dedicated to the women’s game.

With backgrounds in marketing and software development, the duo developed Fantasy WSL as an independent project. The platform quickly gained traction, growing from 150 users in its first season to over 42,000 today. Seeing its success, they set their sights on launching Fantasy NWSL.

How Fantasy NWSL Works

Fantasy NWSL follows a similar format to its English counterpart but adapts to the league’s structure, including playoffs. Users are given a virtual budget of $100 million to build their squad. Points are awarded for player performances, including goals, saves, and clean sheets. Players can join leagues, compete with friends, and make weekly transfers based on changing player values. Unlike traditional American fantasy sports, Fantasy NWSL does not use a draft system, giving users more flexibility in managing their teams.

“It’s got a little sprinkle of drama and a little bit of fun stress,” Gonçalves said.

Despite being based in England, the Fantasy NWSL team has worked hard to understand the nuances of the American league. They believe that as users engage with the game, they’ll develop a deeper understanding of NWSL teams and players.

Early Reception and Popular Players

The response has been promising, with nearly 1,000 users already signed up. Many of these are existing Fantasy WSL players excited to expand into the NWSL. Currently, 2024 NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga is the most-selected player, appearing in 42% of teams. Other popular picks include Sam Coffey, Barbra Banda, Ann-Katrin Berger, and Tierna Davidson.

However, one of the most exciting aspects of the game is how lesser-known players can gain recognition. Gonçalves enjoys watching the rise of underrated talents as users discover them through strong performances. To encourage this, the platform has introduced “Visionary Points,” rewarding users who select players with low ownership rates.

Building a Community Around Women’s Soccer

Beyond just being a game, Fantasy NWSL aims to create a community. The team actively engages with users on social media, fostering discussions about matches, player performances, and weekly strategies. Gonçalves has seen friendships form through Fantasy WSL, as players share insights and help each other navigate the game.

“I’ve noticed just how many friendships and communities have come from the game, just from leaning on each other and teaching each other.”

If Fantasy NWSL can replicate the success of its English counterpart, it could help grow the sport by attracting new fans. Soon, fantasy football conversations at work or among friends may no longer be limited to men’s leagues—Fantasy NWSL could be the next big thing.