ACL injuries in football remain one of the biggest challenges for players, coaches, and fans. With the new Premier League and Women’s Super League (WSL) seasons kicking off, the conversation around serious knee injuries is louder than ever.
Last season’s numbers show a clear and worrying difference: ACL injuries in the WSL were over three times higher than in the Premier League. In this blog, we’ll break down the stats, explore why the gap exists, and highlight why player welfare has to come first.
ACL Injuries in the Premier League
The Premier League is the biggest stage in men’s football, and ACL injuries still hit hard.
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Players: ~604 registered across 20 teams
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ACL injuries last season: 11
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Injury rate: ~1.8%
High-profile names like Rodri (Manchester City) and Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) remind us that no matter how strong the medical support is, ACL tears are still a reality in the men’s game.
ACL Injuries in the WSL
In the WSL, the picture is even more striking.
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Players: ~324 registered across 12 teams
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ACL injuries last season: 18
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Injury rate: ~5.6%
That’s over three times higher than in the men’s league. High-profile players like Sam Kerr (Chelsea) and Mia Fishel (Chelsea) were among those sidelined for 9–12 months, leaving a huge impact on their teams and the league.
Why Are ACL Injuries More Common in the WSL?
There’s no single reason for ACL injuries in football — but there are factors women’s players face that men often don’t.
1. Investment Gap
Less funding in women’s football means smaller medical teams, fewer S&C coaches, and limited access to elite rehab facilities.
2. Equipment Mismatch
Most women still wear boots designed for men’s feet. Poor fit means less stability and higher injury risk.
3. Pitch Quality
Women’s teams often play on shared or lower-quality pitches, which increases stress on the knee during sharp turns or landings.
4. Limited Research
Much of football science is based on men’s data. There’s still a shortage of women-specific research into injury prevention and rehab.
5. Off-Pitch Pressures
Many WSL players juggle football with studies, jobs, or financial uncertainty — all of which impact recovery and long-term injury risk.
Why ACL Injuries Matter
An ACL tear isn’t just “time out.” It’s a 9–12 month rehab journey. It can derail careers, impact mental health, and in some cases, mean players never return to their previous level.
For clubs, losing key players also changes the course of a season. For fans, it means missing out on the chance to see the best talent on the pitch.
Player Welfare Comes First
From fixture congestion to poor pitch standards, player welfare has to be the top priority. Everyone loves watching football — but protecting athletes from preventable injuries has to come before entertainment.
Conclusion
The numbers are clear: ACL injuries in football are far more common in the WSL than in the Premier League. With 18 ACL tears in the WSL last season compared to 11 in the men’s league, the risk for women’s players is over three times higher.
There’s no magic pill to prevent ACL injuries, but better investment, women-specific equipment, and a stronger focus on player welfare can start to close the gap.
🙏 Here’s hoping we see fewer ACL and major knee injuries across both leagues this season.
FIFA’s groundbreaking study into hormonal links with ACL injuries in women’s football
Recently injured your ACL or had surgery and you want to get back to sport safely? check out my Complete ACL Recovery Guide – From surgery to return to sport safely