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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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.
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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