This is why the Women’s Football Awards mean so much

Lianne Sanderson is delighted the Women’s Football Awards have become such an impactful event (Picture: Getty)

There are moments in football that feel long overdue. Moments that make you pause and think: why did this take so long?

The Women’s Football Awards is one of those moments – and as we approach the 2026 ceremony, it feels bigger, bolder and more important than ever.

The event was established in 2023 and it was the first time any awards event took place to celebrate achievements in women’s football. Think about that. Generations of players, pioneers and game-changers and only recently did we finally create a stage dedicated entirely to them.

I know that other awards events have taken place for the men’s game for decades, and so this was so welcome. Not just welcome – necessary.

But what makes these awards so special now is not just about correcting the past, it’s about celebrating the present and shaping the future in real time.

Yes, this event has rightly shone a light on figures who were overlooked for far too long.

Carol Thomas, an England international who earned over 50 caps and was part of the Lionesses’ early rise, representing her country with distinction when the women’s game had far less visibility and support.

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Gabby Logan will help hosts the ceremony alongside Jamie Carragher

Kerry Davis, a history-maker as the first Black woman to score for England, a striker who delivered time and time again while breaking barriers. Their stories matter. Their impact matters. And it’s been powerful to see them honoured on a stage they always deserved.

Meanwhile, this event is packed with the stars of today’s game too. Players like Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Alexia Putellas – all recognised in previous years – show just how far the women’s game has come. These are global names, elite athletes, and role models inspiring the next generation every single day.

And the future is just as exciting. Talents like Maya Le Tissier, Vivianne Miedema, Michelle Agyemang and Bunny Shaw are among this year’s nominees as well.

Hannah Hampton is in the running to win Player of the Year (Getty Images)

What I love most about the Women’s Football Awards is that it doesn’t just celebrate what happens on the pitch. It shines a light on the people behind the scenes – the ones pushing the game forward every single day. People like Yvonne Harrison from Women in Football, who was recognised in 2024, for her incredible work to elevate the game and create opportunities for others. That kind of impact is priceless.

And this year, the awards will celebrate Manchester Corinthians and their pioneering work as women footballers – a team that refused to let the women’s game fade away, travelling the world and keeping its spirit alive in the face of adversity. That legacy runs through everything we see today.

A room full of talent. A celebration of excellence. A moment where the past, present and future of the women’s game all stand side by side.

And let’s not forget the importance of those who believed in it from day one. This is more than an awards ceremony. It is a statement of intent. It is a celebration of how far we’ve come – and a reminder of how far we’re going.

This is a remarkable celebration of the game. Long may it continue.

SHEIN Women’s Football Awards shortlist

Player of the Year

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City) Bunny Shaw (Manchester City) Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City) Jess Park (Manchester United) Ella Toone (Manchester United) Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion) Hannah Hampton (Chelsea) Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa) Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) Alessia Russo (Arsenal) Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)

Young Player of the Year

Tōko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur) Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City) Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion) Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses) Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea) Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United) Grace Clinton (Manchester City) Aoba Fujino (Manchester City) Nelly Las (Leicester City) Ruby Mace (Everton) Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur)

International Player of the Year

Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich) Caroline Weir (Real Madrid) Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona) Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint-Germain) Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich) Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) Claudia Pina (Barcelona) Melchie Dumornay (Lyon) Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan) Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) Victoria López (Barcelona)

Club of the Year

Manchester City Wrexham London City Lionesses Manchester United Chelsea Glasgow City Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal Charlton Athletic Hearts Brighton & Hove Albion

Media Figure of the Year

Kelly Cates Karen Carney MBE Lianne Sanderson Laura Woods Reshmin Chowdhury Alex Scott MBE Mina Ibrahim Suzanne Wrack Katie Whyatt Faye Carruthers Mollie and Rosie Kmita

Best Marketing Campaign

Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here AXA – Keep On Kicking Lidl – Never Stop Growing Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period. PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans

Best Grassroots Initiative

Liverpool FA – She Inspires GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs McDonald’s – Fun Football Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids Manchester City – City in the Community SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership

Brand of the Year

Lucozade Sport Adidas EA Sports British Gas Skoda UK Rexona Barclays Adobe Three UK VISA Nike

Best Social Media

Juventus The FA – Lionesses Chelsea Newcastle United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotspur Bristol City Manchester United Rangers Manchester City Adobe – Women’s FA Cup

Global Impact Award

PlayStation VisitMalta VISA Adidas Iberdrola PepsiCo Booking.com Amazon Google Pixel Kynisca Nike

Best Fan Engagement

Disney+ EA Sports Chelsea London City Lionesses Birmingham City Panini Glasgow City Havas Play Charlton Athletic TikTok YouTube

Legal Team of the Year

Linklaters RPC Thackray Williams Evelyn Partners Lawrence Stephens Limited Penningtons Manches Cooper Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team Capital Law Mills & Reeve Paul Robinson Solicitors Bird & Bird

Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Admiral Lidl Adobe Unilever Domestic & General Xero Apple RSK Bute Energy The Premier League Deloitte

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award

Arsenal EE Pixel FC Academy The FA West Ham United Mastercard Utilita Brighton & Hove Albion VISA Three UK Liverpool

Community Impact Award

Sunderland Carpenters Group Bristol City Crane Worldwide Logistics Her Game Too Xero London City Lionesses Domis Brighton & Hove Albion E.ON Goals4Girls

Football Business of the Year

ORRECO Mercury13 We Are Athlete CAA SPORTS Gravity Media LiveScore Group Foudys EA Sports Kynsica Sportfive Twenty3

Football Agency of the Year

Wasserman CAA SPORTS CMG SPORTS Gen Z Football Ignite Talent Tongue Tied Management PLG A&V Sports Group Gestifute Livida Sport Quantum Sport

Football Business Trailblazer

Kay Cossington Aki Mandhar Maggie Murphy Sarah Batters Zoe Johnson Jemma White Sola Kasali Charlotte O’Neill Laura Downey Laura Montgomery Liz Ellen

Best Breakthrough Business

E.l.f Beauty Modibodi Mercedes-Benz UK Airbnb British Gas Guinness AFTA Studios PLG Revolut Skechers Crocs EU

Women’s Football Champion

Rose Read Nadine Kessler Nikki Doucet Jemma White Michele Kang Ebru Köksal Debbie Hewitt MBE Joelle Murray Rachel Pavlou Simone Pound MBE Vic Akers OBE

Game Changer Award

Rachel Yankey OBE Gillian Coultard MBE Eartha Pond Shelley Kerr MBE Kelly Smith MBE Nikita Parris Ellen White MBE Gilly Flaherty Fran Kirby Ini Umotong Jess Fishlock MBE

Off The Pitch Award

Stephen Lansdown CBE Michael Williamson Matt Johnson Bethan Woolley Tammy Parlour MBE Lungi Macebo Rachel Pavlou Liz Ellen Lola Ogunbote Helen Hardy Jo Osborne

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