Battle of the Sexes Over Fans—Is Men’s Soccer a Substitute for Women’s Soccer?

Attendance in women’s soccer is on the rise in Europe, making it the most-watched women’s team sport. Without massive financial backing from TV contracts, economic success heavily depends on ticket revenue. As women’s matches are typically played on weekends, clubs face competition from men’s soccer over fans’ interest and potentially stadium attendance. Covering data from ten seasons in Germany’s Women’s Federal League (Frauen-Bundesliga), this article empirically tests if overlaps with men’s soccer games have any adverse demand on women’s soccer games.