New women's 7 vs. 7 soccer league launching in May

A new global women's soccer league called "World Sevens Football" (W7F) is set to begin ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League final in May. The league will feature 7-versus-7 games and promises a $5 million prize pool for each event. The first tournament will take place in Portugal from May 21-23. Future events are planned in various cities across the United States, Mexico, Asia, and Europe. Eight professional women's clubs will compete in each tournament, but organizers have not yet announced which teams will participate. Jennifer Mackesy, co-founder of W7F, aims to provide economic opportunities for players that reflect their value. The league has formed a player advisory council, including notable former players like Tobin Heath and Kelley O'Hara. The tournament format will consist of two 15-minute halves, with extra time for any tiebreakers. While the league is gaining attention, the timing may limit participation from some NWSL teams due to overlapping events. The inaugural event will be held at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, near Lisbon, just before the Champions League final at Estádio José Alvalade.