Loughborough University Research Project Invites Women Football Fans to Share Experiences to Improve Stadium Safety

Loughborough University Research Project Invites Women Football Fans to Share Experiences to Improve Stadium Safety

(IN BRIEF) Loughborough University is collaborating with Northumbria University and the Football Supporters’ Association on the Safer Stadiums research initiative, which aims to improve safety and inclusivity for women attending men’s football matches. The project invites women fans to share their experiences of matchdays, including issues related to sexism, harassment, and gender-based violence. Workshops held across the country gathered insights from supporters about the challenges some women face when attending games and potential solutions to improve stadium culture. The findings will be presented through a short animated film premiering at an event in Manchester on March 28, 2026. Researchers and fan groups hope the initiative will encourage clubs, supporters, and organizations to take collective action to create more welcoming and secure environments for all football fans.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOUGHBOROUGH, 10-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Loughborough University is taking part in a new research initiative aimed at improving safety and inclusivity for women attending men’s football matches. The project, titled “Safer Stadiums,” invites women supporters to share their experiences of matchdays in order to better understand the challenges some fans face and to identify ways to make stadium environments more welcoming for everyone.

The initiative is being carried out through a collaboration between Northumbria University, Loughborough University, and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). The study focuses on providing a platform for women to discuss issues they may encounter while attending games, including concerns related to sexism, harassment, and gender-based violence.

Although many supporters feel comfortable in the energetic atmosphere typical of football stadiums, the experience is not always the same for everyone. For some women, attending matches can involve navigating difficult situations or behaviors that detract from their enjoyment of the game.

The Football Supporters’ Association believes football should be an inclusive space for all supporters. Through the Safer Stadiums project, researchers and fan representatives are exploring practical ways to address negative experiences reported by women and create a more positive environment across the sport.

Hannah Kumari, who leads the FSA’s Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game Network, has attended matches regularly since the 1990s and has followed Coventry City since she was 12 years old. Drawing on her long-standing involvement in football fandom, she says many women have encountered sexism or misogyny while attending matches at different levels of the sport.

According to Kumari, research conducted within the project indicates that around half of women attending matches report experiencing sexist language or behavior. The proportion rises significantly among women from ethnic minority backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTQ+, with up to eight in ten reporting similar experiences.

She emphasized that such behavior should not be accepted as a normal part of football culture and encouraged clubs to take stronger action to challenge discrimination and harassment. While reporting systems exist in many stadiums, Kumari noted that these often focus primarily on penalizing perpetrators, while victims may receive limited support.

As part of the Safer Stadiums study, the project team organized workshops across the country where women fans were invited to discuss their experiences and propose potential solutions. Participants represented a wide range of backgrounds and football communities.

Insights from these discussions are being brought together through a short animated film that shares stories gathered during the research process. The animation will premiere during an in-person event at HOME in Manchester on March 28, 2026.

The film aims to encourage fans to consider how their behavior affects others attending matches, highlighting that the matchday experience can differ significantly between supporters. For some women, actions or language in stadium environments can lead to feelings of exclusion or discomfort.

Dr Mark Doidge, the lead researcher on the project at Loughborough University, said the research highlights the importance of listening to supporters’ perspectives, particularly those of women fans. He noted that while football culture can be vibrant and passionate, it should not come at the expense of making some supporters feel unwelcome.

Dr Aarti Ratna of Northumbria University also emphasized that improving safety and inclusivity requires collective responsibility across the sport. She noted that creating safe and welcoming environments extends beyond the stadium itself, including public spaces and transport routes used by fans traveling to and from matches.

To strengthen connections between women supporters of men’s football, the Football Supporters’ Association has launched the Women’s Voice in the Men’s Game Network. The initiative aims to provide a platform where women fans can share experiences, connect with others, and contribute to ongoing discussions about improving the football environment.

The Safer Stadiums animation screening and interactive event will be open to supporters and will take place at HOME in Manchester on March 28, 2026. You can register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/safer-stadiums-live-interactive-workshop-and-animation-screening-tickets-1984214084741

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SOURCE: Loughborough University