WAFCON 2026 Tests Sportsbook Readiness as Women’s Sports Revenue Crosses $3 Billion

The biggest edition of the Women’s African Cup of Nations is underway in Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco. Sixteen countries compete for a record US$1 million prize pool and automatic qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Deloitte projects global women’s elite sports revenue will cross US$3 billion for the first time in 2026. The total marks a 25 percent increase from US$2.4 billion in 2025 and a 340 percent rise since 2022. Commercial revenue accounts for 45 percent of the total while matchday revenue is projected to reach US$911 million, up over US$163 million year-on-year.

Revenue Growth Outpaces Betting Availability

North America generates 54 percent of total revenue. Europe accounts for 14 percent. Deloitte U.S. Chair Lara Abrash believes the conversation has moved beyond proving women’s sport has commercial value. “The narrative has shifted in a powerful way. Women’s sports are thriving and defined by real, transformative growth and a rapidly expanding global fan base,” she says. “With global revenue on track to top US$3 billion this year, the conversation has moved beyond proving value to intentionally building a lasting, world-class foundation for the future.”

Founder of women’s sports consultancy GOALS Caroline Fitzgerald asserted, “The business case for women’s sports is indisputable,” adding: “It’s bad business not to be in the business of women’s sports.”

Fewer than five percent of women’s sporting events are currently available to bet on globally, according to Sports Business Journal. Research commissioned by Stats Perform and YouGov found bettors of both genders want more opportunities to wager on women’s sport. More than 90 percent of regular bettors expect to watch the same or more women’s sport over the coming year.

Data Density Remains the Core Constraint

Betting markets depend on historical form, injury reporting and granular player statistics. Women’s football has historically been less comprehensively tracked. Companies including Stats Perform, Sportradar and Genius Sports have expanded women’s football datasets to improve player statistics and live event data.

Nigeria arrives as the tournament’s most successful side, while hosts Morocco were runners-up in 2022. The top four semifinalists qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. This structure raises competitive stakes at every stage and supplies a clear test of whether operators will deliver deeper markets, pricing depth and live in-play coverage that matches men’s AFCON standards. As jurisdictions increasingly require sustainable and diversified growth, women’s football represents an acquisition and retention opportunity that operators have yet to fully engage.

Reporting: iGaming Future