Making friends through women's football

Let’s face it, making friends in your twenties is hard. But believe it or not, women’s football

might be your secret weapon. Whether it’s cheering in the stands, joining a local grassroots team or hopping into a group chat, the WSL and the wider football community are full of people ready to share laughs, highs and unforgettable matchday moments. You don’t have to be a star player, all you need is a love of the game or even just curiosity and a willingness to show up. So, here’s how to find your people, one match at a time.

The Online Community

You don’t even have to leave your sofa to start finding your people. TikTok and Instagram comment sections are full of fans raving about goals, fangirling over amazing saves and reacting together in ways that make strangers feel like part of your fan family. One comment leads to another and before you know it those strangers are mutuals, then chatmates and some even become friends you meet at a game. Give it a try in the @girlactico comment section!

There are also spaces made for connection and sisterhood. Supporters’ communities like Chelsea Women Supporters Group, Irish AWFC Gooners, Liverpool Women's Supporters Club (also have an active Discord), Gay Gooners, Manchester United's MUWSC and City's MCWFC are thriving online. Other Discord Servers like Women's Football Memes are full of people sharing jokes, debating tactics and celebrating wins together. Everyone is welcoming, supportive and genuinely excited to connect. Of course you still need to be careful online. Don’t share personal details or arrange to meet faceless people, stick to moderated places and always keeps your wits about you!

Photograph; @irish_awfc_gooners

The best part is how quickly these online connections can turn into real-life friendships. A shared reaction to a goal can lead to a pub meet-up, a matchday side-by-side or a friend you keep for years. Football gives you a space to fangirl, celebrate and feel part of a sisterhood that stretches far beyond your couch.

Grassroots Teams

Sometimes the best way to really feel part of the football community is by getting on the pitch. Grassroots women’s football is thriving and there are teams for every level. In London, the Goalposts League is perfect for beginners. Manchester has inclusive teams like the Manchester Laces and cities all over the UK have thriving local setups. Check out Footy Addicts to find a game near you!

Playing, volunteering or even just showing up to watch training connects you with people who love the game as much as you do. Practices, post-match chats and celebrating goals together create friendships that go beyond football. Through these new friendships you often end up going to games,  together side by side and making memories that last long after the final whistle. You don’t need to be the next Bunny Shaw, it’s the laughs, encouragement and shared love of the game that turn strangers into a sisterhood.

Photograph credit; @thegoalpostsleague

Photograph credit; @thegoalpostsleague

Photograph credit; @thegoalpostsleague

Matchday Moments

In my opinion the WSL has the best community in the world. Some of the most amazing friendships I’ve made started completely by chance. Whether it’s bonding in the bathroom queue, grabbing a post-match pint or chatting with the person next to you in the stands, a simple “hi” can turn a stranger into your WSL bestie. I have friends I met at a game in Switzerland during the EUROs who now happily stay on my couch for a WSL fixture, all because we just started chatting before a game.

There’s something magical about that matchday energy. Everyone is buzzing, celebrating and having a blast together. You don’t need to plan anything, just show up, be friendly and join in the fun. Before you know it you’ll have friends to text, plan trips with and scream alongside at every game.

Photograph credit; @rawithamju

Turning Friends Into Football Besties 

Sometimes all it takes is one game to turn a friend you usually catch up with occasionally into a football buddy for life. My best friend invited me to a WSL match on a whim and suddenly weekends were no longer just for brunch or movies, they were for matchday rituals, swapping predictions and reacting to every twist on the pitch together.

It’s the little moments that make it stick, from gasping at a last-minute goal to sending a “did you see that?!” text after the game. Friends who never thought they’d care about football suddenly mark their calendars, join fan groups and even plan trips to away matches. One match can transform an ordinary friendship into a shared passion that keeps you coming back for more, building a mini football sisterhood that feels effortless and fun.

Football isn’t just a game, it’s a way to meet your people and build a little sisterhood. Whether online, at grassroots teams or just chatting at a match, the WSL has a magical way of bringing fans together. One game, one conversation, one shared cheer can turn strangers into friends you’ll never forget.