Development of Women’s Football Competitions

In the field of competition development, Hypercube has established itself as an international market leader, serving a wide range of sports. We advise on the ideal competition format, taking into account factors such as the number of participating teams, match frequencies, and potential playoff systems. Additionally, we consider relevant aspects such as media revenue distribution, scheduling, and licensing regulations.

Example questions we address include:

• How exciting is the competition compared to other countries?
• How unpredictable are the match outcomes?
• How much does each match affect the final result of the competition?
• Will more supporters attend the matches if we adjust the competition format?
• How likely is it that the competition will be decided on the last matchday?

For example, at the end of 2023, we assisted Turkish women’s football (TFF) in creating a vision, mission, and strategy. By mapping Turkish football in detail, we took the first steps in developing an amateur competition into a (semi-) professional league.

Growth Strategy for Women’s Football

In the strategic growth of women’s football, federations and clubs aim for optimal performances, both on and off the field. Hypercube supports the development of multi-year growth plans, where data-driven models play a crucial role.

For clubs, the growth strategy is tailored through scenario analyses, considering factors such as demographics, commercial environment, stadium facilities, youth development, and financial position. These analyses provide insight into growth potential and serve as a guide for strategic decision-making.

For instance, women’s football is part of PSV’s growth strategy. Hypercube has mapped PSV’s position in national and international women’s football. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats were analyzed to develop PSV’s women’s football growth strategy for the coming years.

We also support federations in determining their growth strategies. This involves research on benchmark countries, stakeholder interviews, and potential analyses to form a solid vision. By using data analyses and models, we gain insight into the impact of athletic growth on both commercial and financial aspects, and vice versa.

Example questions we address include:

• What investment is needed to grow in the international rankings?
• What is the value of the future of women’s football?

Stadiums and Sports Accommodations

Stadiums and sports accommodations are central to each club and are crucial as revenue sources. However, they also entail significant costs, making it essential that the stadium aligns with the club’s ambitions.

Hypercube develops comprehensive business cases addressing all aspects of the stadium, including capacity and quality. We explore the most realistic options: renovation, new construction, or maintaining the current stadium. In the case of new construction, we analyze the catchment area, considering factors like population density, economic activity, accessibility, and competition. These elements are all incorporated into the planning process to make informed and strategic choices.

Additionally, Hypercube guides the entire process of building or renovating a stadium, involving various stakeholders besides the club itself. We offer advice and support to ensure successful stadium realization. Our expertise also extends to other types of sports facilities, such as sports halls, ice rinks, and training complexes.

Example questions we address include:

• What is the optimal spectator capacity of the stadium?
• What is the ideal number of matches to host per season in the stadium?
• What is the effect of better performances on the expected number of visitors?

A notable project from 2023 is Omnisport in Apeldoorn, for which we conducted a case study.

Ranking Systems for Women’s Football

Rankings in women’s football aim to compare teams and countries objectively based on their athletic strength. It is essential that the ranking accurately and scientifically reflects the current standings within the sport.

A good ranking provides not only athletic advantages but also practical applications, such as pool or knockout stage assignments during tournaments. It is crucial that this is done fairly and transparently, assigning the appropriate athletic strength to teams or countries.

Besides the athletic aspect, rankings also have commercial relevance. Supporters often find it interesting to follow their favorite team’s ranking, and sponsors can associate their name with the ranking, leading to additional revenue for the ranking’s publisher.

Hypercube manages two websites featuring rankings. In 2007, we developed the Euro Club Index in football, which shows the athletic performances of all football clubs in Europe over time. We also provide information on UEFA coefficients on on our Hyperrankings website. Hypercube has also developed a women’s ranking for both club and national team football, indicating differences in strength and competition excitement.

Data Insights for Women’s Football

With our extensive data sources and proven models, we aim to provide clients with insights into their performances, both athletically and economically. By working flexibly and efficiently, we ensure that relevant information is always available to our clients, while devising solutions widely supported within the sports community and advancing the sport.

Situations we address here include:

• A dashboard that is updated daily provides insights into the current standings, rankings, and performances, both of the team itself and in comparison to other teams (and countries). Specific insights can be implemented in consultation.