The future of sports watching is female and it’s about to go from zero to 60! Brace yourselves, because by the end of 2025, the number of bars devoted to women’s sports is expected to skyrocket from a meager six to approximately 24 nationwide. Yes, you heard that right, 24! Say goodbye to the dreary, testosterone-fueled caves we call sports bars and hello to vibrant spaces that actually celebrate women’s athletic talent.

This year has already seen some flashy openings, including the Title 9 Sports Grill in Phoenix and the 1972 Women’s Sports Pub in Austin, Texas. And don’t sleep on Omaha’s upcoming gem, Set the Bar, which caffeinated its existence just in time for March Madness. You can almost hear the collective cheer of women across the country as they toast to their favorite teams.

Molly Huyck, the brains behind Set the Bar, was fueled by inspiration from pioneers like The Sports Bra, the iconic first women’s sports bar that popped up in Portland in 2022. Huyck said goodbye to the dingy vibes of traditional sports hangouts, embracing an environment where fans can watch women’s sports without feeling like they’re crashing a boys’ club.

“Sports bars ought to be fun and inclusive, not shadowy concrete death traps,” she emphasized. This new trend doesn’t just cater to die-hard sports fans; it offers a refreshing atmosphere filled with bright colors, mocktails, and a community spirit that openly welcomes everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community.

Attention-grabbing statistics echo the demand. Women’s sports viewership is at an all-time high, thanks to record-breaking attendance at events like the University of Nebraska volleyball match, which attracted over 92,000 fans! The NCAA women’s basketball championship last year skyrocketed to 18.9 million viewers, confirming once and for all that ‘women’s sports’ isn’t just a niche; it’s mainstream!

However, behind every successful new bar is a tale of perseverance. Many entrepreneurs had to bootstrap their start-ups through crowdfunding or personal savings, proving that passion often matters more than the conventional funding route. Bar owners discussed bank loan struggles, pointing out how banks often shy away from lending to first-time, women-led businesses in the bar industry. Talk about an uphill battle!

With momentum like this, it’s clear that women’s sports bars are not just sprouting up; they’re igniting a revolution. So, grab your friends, your colorful cocktails, and get ready to cheer on women athletes in spaces designed for all.