US Soccer announced a one-off tournament in 2020 to mark the return from the Covid pandemic. It was the start of the NWSL Challenge Cup, now known as UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. UKG is a new title sponsor and is an HR, payroll, and workforce management company. NWSL recently announced massive prize money for the Challenge Cup on par with the MLS Cup.

The announcement was made earlier that the NWSL Challenge Cup will be the first women’s soccer tournament that will address pay equity. And now, with the new title sponsors, it has come to a reality. The announcement comes after USWNT players won the pay equity battle against US Soccer last year. USWNT stars like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were phenomenal in the fight for equal pay.

NWSL announces $1 million prize pool

NWSL, with the title sponsor UKG, has announced a $1 million prize pool for the 2023 edition of the NWSL Challenge Cup. UKG pledged to increase the prize money to bring parity after signing the sponsorship deal. By announcing $1 million prize money, the Challenge Cup is almost on par with the MLS Cup. The prize money for the MLS Cup is $1.1 million as per reports.

It will be the fourth edition of the tournament and will run concurrently with the NWSL for the first time. The new format divides all 12 teams into three groups: East Division, Central Division, and West Division. Each team will play six double round-robin games. Four teams from the groups will go into the semifinals, and the winners will play in the final. 

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The news of the increase in the prize money for the Challenge Cup comes in a World Cup year. FIFA has already announced a 300% increase in the prize money for this year’s tournament. In 2019, the prize money was $30 million. The 2023 edition will see prize money increased to $110 million. However, it is still way below $440 million for Men’s World Cup held in Qatar last year. But it is a step taken forward.

Is the women’s professional soccer league growing in the US?

NWSL kicked off last month. It saw a record broken immediately. The San Diego Wave FC game broke a record for the most attendance on the opening day. NWSL is seeing an increase in average attendance. They will expand from 12 teams to 15 in the coming two years. The investment groups are ready to invest, with the franchise fees increasing. 

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman feels increased investment will help any tournament to flourish. Berman sees the NWSL growing because the mindset of the investors is changing. The investment in the NWSL franchises is increasing, fueling the growth of the league, and the trend will continue.

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What impact do you think increased prize money will make on women’s soccer?