Bristol City Women are under new ownership. Global women’s football investment group Mercury13 has taken control of the club, acquiring a majority stake from the Lansdown family, who’ve run City Women for over a decade. The Lansdowns retain a minority share, but the direction of the team is now firmly in Mercury13’s hands.
Announced on 17 September, the deal marks a landmark moment for English women’s football. It’s not the first women-only multi-club ownership model – Michele Kang already oversees Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes, and London City Lionesses – but it highlights the rising value of the women’s game and the scale of investment now flowing into it. Details of the deal remain undisclosed, and the takeover still awaits league approval.
Who are Mercury13?
- Founded in 2023 by Argentine-American businesswoman Victoire Cogevina Reynal and Venezuelan entrepreneur Mario Malavé.
- Backed by around $100m earmarked for women’s clubs across Europe and Latin America.
- Already own Serie A side FC Como Women in Italy (since 2024)
- Mission: build a network of women’s clubs, improve infrastructure, strengthen commercial reach, and grow fan bases – with structures designed specifically for the women’s game.
What It Means for Bristol City
- WSL Ambition: City were relegated in 2024. Mercury13’s investment signals a clear push to bounce back into the top flight.
- More Investment: Training, facilities, and commercial partnerships are all expected to see upgrades.
- Network Effect: Being part of a multi-club group means shared expertise, sponsorships, and global visibility.
- Cultural Shift: Dedicated ownership in women’s football is gathering pace – Mercury13 joins Kang’s global model in proving the game can stand on its own.
Challenges ahead
- Pending Approval: The takeover needs regulatory sign-off.
- Results Matter: Cash won’t guarantee promotion – recruitment and coaching must deliver.
- Local Identity: Bristol’s fanbase values community. Balancing global ambition with local roots will be crucial.
- Financial Sustainability: Women’s football is growing fast, but long-term success depends on sustainable investment and revenue growth.
VERTA’s Take
Mercury13’s move is another statement of belief in women’s football’s future. For Bristol City Women, it could be the boost needed to return to the WSL and grow off the pitch too.
But change won’t happen overnight. A 5–1 opening-day defeat to promotion hopefuls Birmingham underlines the gap that still exists on the pitch. If Mercury13 combine investment with patience, smart management, and respect for Bristol’s community roots, City Women could become a blueprint for how women’s clubs thrive in this new era.
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