The lights of London are ready to shine on women's football's biggest night. Jamie Carragher and Toni Duggan are back at the helm of the Women's Football Awards, now in its fourth year, and the buzz is electric.
What started in 2022 has exploded into an unmissable celebration of the game's brightest stars, trailblazers, and game-changers. Carragher, returning as co-host, can't hide his excitement. "This night has just continued to flourish," he says, reflecting on how each year brings more energy, more talent, and more unforgettable moments.
The former Liverpool defender sees the awards as a perfect mirror of the sport's meteoric rise. "Women's football keeps getting bigger and bigger," he adds. "Once I got involved, I loved it, and I kept coming back. Each year, the awards grow—just like the game itself."
This year's shortlist carries an undeniable international flavor. Players from six different countries are vying for the top individual honors. Carragher believes this global mix is what makes the WSL unstoppable. "You want the best players in the world, the best managers—but also a pathway for young English talent," he explains. "Striking that balance is tough, but the Premier League shows how powerful international stars make a league stronger."
The player to watch? Bunny Shaw. The Jamaica international already claimed Player of the Year in 2024, and she's the overwhelming favorite to do it again. Toni Duggan, a former Lionesses star and awards ambassador, is among her biggest fans. "She's been absolutely incredible," Duggan says. "I met with her recently, and her enthusiasm and hunger to achieve more is breathtaking."
Duggan credits Shaw's success to the team around her. "Viv Miedema staying fit has changed everything for Man City. Add Lauren Hemp delivering those deadly crosses, and Bunny becomes unstoppable. If she wins again, it won't surprise me at all."
But the night isn't just about the superstars on the pitch. For Duggan, the most powerful part of the awards is the spotlight on the people working behind the scenes. "That's what makes me most proud," she says. "I came through in a generation where things were already better than those before me. This night thanks the trailblazers that most fans never see."
From kit men to brand partners, from canteen workers to grassroots champions—the Women's Football Awards honors everyone who fuels the sport's growth. "There are so many people putting in incredible effort behind the scenes," Duggan adds. "They deserve recognition just as much as the players."
The ceremony features categories ranging from Player of the Year to Best Grassroots Initiative, Club of the Year to Game Changer Award. The shortlist includes names like Vivianne Miedema, Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, and Kerstin Casparij for top player honors, while young stars like Maya Le Tissier and Grace Clinton compete for Young Player of the Year.
International talent from across Europe also gets its moment, with nominees like Caroline Weir, Alexia Putellas, and Pernille Harder vying for the International Player of the Year award. Clubs from Manchester City to Wrexham, London City Lionesses to Chelsea, are in the running for Club of the Year.
Beyond the trophies, the night is about legacy. It's about the generations who fought for a professional game and the current stars who are writing new chapters. Carragher sums it up perfectly: "Each year, it gets bigger and better. And the best part? We're just getting started."
