How EA Sports FC is Helping Turn the NWSL Into a Powerhouse

From attendance records to rapid expansion, the NWSL has seen its fair share of success in recent years. A part of that surge in popularity can be attributed to a larger presence in the EA Sports FC franchise, where players like Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson are among the most prestigious in the game. 

Women’s soccer is experiencing a surge in the United States, whether people are ready for it or not. The NWSL reached new heights last season by drawing more than 40,000 fans for Bay FC’s match against the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, marking the most attended event in a women’s professional league, across all sports. The recent NWSL Championship between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit was also the most watched match in league history.

While soccer continues to become more prevalent across the U.S., the NWSL is carving out its own space. The culture around the league is rising fast, becoming a national phenomenon ahead of two upcoming World Cups on home soil: the men’s edition in 2026 and the women’s in 2031. While many factors are driving that momentum, the growing influence of Electronic Arts and EA FC is playing a meaningful role in accelerating the sport’s visibility in the United States.

I was lucky enough to be invited to an NWSL showcase hosted at Electronic Arts headquarters in Redwood City, California, which also happens to be my hometown. The event gave me the chance to chat with NWSL and EA FC executives and learn more about how the two entities have worked together to form a symbiotic relationship.

From touring the EA Story Room, where every FIFA game was highlighted on interactive displays, to playing EA FC alongside NWSL players, the experience was unforgettable. Some of the players on the tour with me included Brianna Pinto, Taylor Flint, Kyra Carusa, Carson Pickett, Delphine Cascarino, Bea Franklin, and Simone Charley.

All of them were in town for the NWSL Championship, which Gotham FC ultimately won at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The theme was clear to everyone in attendance: women’s soccer is on the rise, and EA FC is a catalyst for that growth.

“We’ve seen the growth of women’s football in Europe and North America,” said EA Sports FC vice president Jeff Sharma. “It’s been a really exciting path to be on. Viewership for both regions has been up, and since we signed the NWSL, we’ve seen a large portion of those [players] being used in Ultimate Team. It’s been really well received by our community, which is a little harder to message.”

In a male-dominated activity like gaming, any increase in visibility for women’s sports is a significant win. Sharma noted that a staggering number of players now include women in their Ultimate Team starting XI, highlighting how the game is helping amplify the profile of women athletes worldwide.

“Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory [Swanson], they have some of the most expensive items in the game pretty consistently throughout the year,” said Nicole Baxter, former NWSL player and currently an assistant producer for EA Sports FC. “In terms of growth, what I focus on is how we can continue to see more NWSL players being interacted with and becoming prime items in the game.”

The NWSL has recognized the importance of the gaming world, and according to the league’s chief operating officer Sarah Jones Simmer, could even use gaming data to inform important league-wide decisions.

“I also get excited to think about things like the data that we can understand from EA, where we might have geographic gravitational pull,” Simmer said. “That might show us where fandom is growing, and those are all good insights that we can use as we think about our geographic footprint.”

This tidbit was especially insightful considering that the league is in the midst of an expansion phase that has added four teams since the 2021 season, with three more coming in Denver (2026), Boston (2026), and Atlanta (2028).

The day was full of insights into how EAFC and its partnership with the NWSL is helping grow the women’s game in the United States and around the world. Alex Morgan capped things off with a special appearance, accompanied by her in-game character displayed on TV monitors as she walked through the company doors.

The NWSL’s rise is more than just a numbers game — it reflects a cultural shift in how women’s soccer is valued, celebrated, and consumed. From record-breaking attendance to the growing integration of NWSL players into EA FC, the sport is finding new ways to connect with fans and expand its reach. My day at Electronic Arts highlighted how partnerships between gaming and sports can amplify visibility, inspire new audiences, and provide players with a platform that extends far beyond the pitch. With the involvement of executives, players, and legends like Morgan, it’s clear that women’s soccer is not only thriving but evolving into a cultural phenomenon.

Photography by Dario Cruz. 

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