A recent study has ranked New York as the third-best state in the United States for women’s soccer, placing it ahead of soccer hubs like Oregon and New Jersey.
The analysis, conducted by women’s sports betting community BettingLadies.com, evaluated 13 factors, including the number of professional and collegiate teams, championship wins, and ticket accessibility. Each factor was weighted and scored out of 10, culminating in a final score out of 100 for each state.
New York achieved a score of 61.09, earning particularly high marks for its NCAA Division III soccer dominance. With 52 Division III teams and eight championship titles, the state secured a perfect score of 10 in this category. Additionally, the now-defunct NWSL team Western New York Flash contributed to the state’s success with two championship titles, earning a notable score of 9.73.
Val Martinez, CEO of BettingLadies.com, highlighted the significance of the study in showcasing progress and identifying areas for further development in women’s soccer. “Women’s soccer is growing rapidly, and this study underscores the states that are setting the gold standard for investment in the sport,” Martinez said.
California topped the rankings with a score of 67.47, followed by North Carolina at 65.37. Both states scored high across multiple categories, including professional league success and collegiate achievements. Oregon and New Jersey rounded out the top five.
Martinez emphasized the broader message behind the rankings: “Every young girl who dreams of playing soccer deserves the opportunity to grow and thrive, and the states on this list are making that a reality.”
As women’s soccer continues to grow in popularity and investment, New York’s strong foundation in both professional and collegiate arenas positions it as a leader in fostering talent and advancing the sport.
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