The English football club, Bristol City Women, have confirmed a landmark change in ownership, with Mercury 13, the global investment group dedicated exclusively to women’s football, acquiring a majority stake in the club.
The agreement positions the Robins as one of the first English teams to move into dedicated external ownership, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the women’s game.
Under the deal, Bristol Sport Group, led by Steve Lansdown, will retain a minority shareholding, ensuring continuity while granting Mercury 13 operational control. The team will continue to compete under the Bristol City Women name and play home matches at Ashton Gate, reinforcing both stability and ambition as the club targets a return to the Women’s Super League.
Mercury 13, co-founded by Victoire Cogevina Reynal and Mario Malavé, has pledged to invest up to $100 million globally in women’s football, with the acquisition of Como Women in Italy already part of its portfolio. The consortium’s name honours the 13 women who passed astronaut testing in the 1960s but were excluded from NASA’s space programme, symbolising its mission to elevate women’s sport onto equal footing.
The new ownership is expected to bring increased financial resources, strengthened recruitment, expanded youth development through a Tier 1 academy, and bespoke commercial partnerships designed to enhance the matchday experience.
Commenting on the occasion, Stephen Lansdown CBE said, “My family and I have watched and supported the women’s team for nearly two decades. From the early days when they competed as Bristol Academy and were transitioning from amateur to semi-pro and playing at SGS College, to our decision to fully fund and integrate the club into Bristol City as a whole, with the move to the Robins High Performance Centre and supporting them into the professional era as part of our sporting group.
“We are proud to have been a part of growing the women’s game. Watching that Champions League match in 2014, when as Bristol Academy they beat Barcelona in one of their first games at Ashton Gate, in front of just a few hundred fans, to today, calling Ashton Gate their home, breaking club records for attendances, and selling out the stadium when we’ve hosted the Lionesses.
“The growth in women’s football is astounding. We have always said we would look at investment if it was the right partner at the right time, and I believe now is that time for City Women. Mercury13’s ambition for women’s football matches our own; their dedicated investment and focus on women’s football will accelerate Bristol City Women’s growth, and I look forward to seeing what the club can achieve in the years to come.”
Bristol City Women Chair and Bristol Sport CEO Gavin Marshall, who led the acquisition process, added, “This is a pivotal moment for Bristol City Women, and we are excited about the next chapter in the club’s story. Mercury13 has been excellent to work with throughout the acquisition and has the commitment and capability to drive Bristol City Women forward and continue our proud history as a progressive, innovative, and community-focused club. I am confident that the guardianship of the club is in excellent hands.”
Mario Malavé, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Mercury13, continued, “Bristol City Women represents everything we look for in a club: a rich history; a track record of performance; world-class infrastructure; and incredibly loyal supporters. Our entry into the English football pyramid is a major milestone for Mercury13, and one we approach with deep respect and responsibility. We’re honoured by the Lansdown family’s trust and are committed to building something special alongside the Bristol community.”
Hannah Haynes, Chief Strategy Officer at Mercury13, who led the acquisition for Mercury13, concluded, “We are proud to have reached this agreement between the many stakeholders and are committed to driving the growth of this distinctive and ambitious club during a pivotal time for women’s football in England. Working closely with the wider ecosystem – from broadcasters to commercial partners – we aim to build on strong foundations, enhance the matchday experience and establish the club as a competitive force and a household fixture in the South West.”
The acquisition underlines a broader trend in global sport, with investors increasingly recognising women’s clubs as standalone assets with distinct commercial and cultural potential. For Bristol City Women, it represents the beginning of a new chapter, one defined by ambition, independence, and sustainable growth.