April 25 – The launch of the women’s World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament took a significant step forward this week with the confirmation of four of Europe’s biggest clubs set to compete in its inaugural edition in Portugal.
AFC Ajax, FC Bayern, Benfica and Manchester United will take part in the new format’s first outing from May 21–23 in Estoril, Portugal — a pilot event with an ambitious commercial engine behind it and a $5 million prize pool per tournament.
W7F is positioning itself at the intersection of elite women’s football, innovation, and new media monetisation. Seven-a-side matches, shorter halves, and condensed three-day competitions are the hallmarks of a format designed to serve both entertainment and broadcast appeal.
All matches will be streamed globally via DAZN, with an eye on driving fan engagement and digital viewership across international markets.
The Estoril tournament, to be held at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, will feature eight professional clubs – with four more to be announced – competing in two groups before knockout stages on the final day. It marks the official launch of a concept W7F hopes will become a global circuit with multiple events per year and a standardised prize fund that significantly surpasses anything else on offer in the women’s short-form game.
For clubs, it’s a low-risk, high-visibility opportunity. Participating teams bring global brand value, established fan bases, and top-tier athletes to a format tailor-made for digital content and commercial packaging.
Adrian Jacob, Head of Football, W7F commented: “World Sevens Football is about creating opportunities for women footballers that reflect their immense value and talent. We’re excited to welcome these incredible teams to Estoril as we kick off a new era in women’s football and look forward to announcing our remaining clubs very soon.”
Ticketing is now open, with the event offering multiple fan engagement tiers from grandstand access to VIP hospitality and branded party decks. Commercial partnerships and on-site activations are expected to follow, with W7F viewing the Estoril event as a launchpad for a broader rights proposition in women’s football.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1745602861labto1745602861ofdlr1745602861owedi1745602861sni@g1745602861niwe.1745602861yrrah1745602861