San Diego Wave FC Triumphs in Inaugural World Sevens Women's Tournament

The World Sevens women's soccer tournament, a new seven-on-seven format, made its U.S. debut in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, culminating in a final match on Sunday. The San Diego Wave FC emerged victorious, defeating Mexico's Tigres UANL 3-0. This innovative tournament featured teams from North, Central, and South America and offered a total prize purse of $5 million, with $2 million awarded to the Wave.

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The World Sevens format diverges from traditional soccer, consisting of fast-paced matches lasting just 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute halves. The tournament rules include no offsides and unlimited rolling substitutions, creating a dynamic playing environment. The event was characterized by a festive atmosphere, with music and player walk-outs enhancing the spectator experience.

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In addition to the San Diego Wave and Tigres UANL, the tournament included teams such as Club America from Mexico, Deportivo Cali from Colombia, Flamengo from Brazil, Nacional from Uruguay, SFC Toronto from Canada, and the Kansas City Current from the NWSL. The matches were broadcast for free on DAZN and various television networks, including TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max.

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Jen Mackesy, co-founder of World Sevens, emphasized the importance of providing a platform for women's teams to showcase their talent and build their brands. She stated, "I know how hard these women's teams are working to try to build their clubs and their brands for their players and we saw this platform as a great opportunity." Sarah Cummins, CEO of World Sevens, noted the unique opportunity presented by the tournament, saying, "I do think based on where we are in this moment, it's the perfect opportunity to do something unique and special and innovative on the women's side."

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Organizers have indicated plans for future tournaments and potential expansion of the World Sevens format. Mackesy mentioned the interest from various leagues and clubs worldwide, stating, "We want to create regional tournaments and be able to bring this format and World Sevens football all over the world to different leagues." This expansion aims to provide fans with greater access to players and clubs they may not typically see, while also offering additional playing opportunities for bench players.

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While the tournament has been well-received, some critics may question the sustainability of the seven-on-seven format and its long-term impact on traditional soccer structures. Concerns about the potential overshadowing of established leagues and the implications for player development in conventional formats could arise as the World Sevens seeks to grow.

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“We love what we've done so far, we want to replicate it but in addition to expanding we want to create regional tournaments and be able to bring this format and World Sevens football all over the world to different leagues all over the world,” — Jen Mackesy, Co-founder of World Sevens

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