Image source, Rogan/Bristol City
Bristol City have been under the Bristol Sport umbrella owned by the Lansdown family since 2014
BySophie Hurcom
BBC Sport England, West
Bristol City Women have been taken over by Italian group Mercury13 in a deal described as "pivotal" for the WSL2 club's future.
The second-tier side has been owned by the Lansdown family for more than a decade under the Bristol Sport umbrella and they will retain a minority stake in the club under the deal.
Mercury13, who also own Serie A Femminile side Como Women, is described as a "multi-club ownership group" which aims to acquire women's sides across Europe.
"This is a pivotal moment for Bristol City Women and we are excited about the next chapter in the club's story," said Gavin Marshall, Bristol City Women chair and Bristol Sport CEO.
"Mercury13 have the commitment and capability to drive Bristol City Women forward and continue our proud history as a progressive, innovative and community-focussed club."
Bristol City Women will continue to play at Ashton Gate and train at the Robins High Performance Centre as part of a "long-term agreement", a statement said.
Formerly known as Bristol Academy, Bristol City Women came under the ownership of the Lansdown's in 2014 as part of the Bristol Sport group which also includes Bristol City men, the Bristol Bears men's and women's rugby teams and the Bristol Flyers basketball outfit.
Bristol-born billionaire businessman Steve Lansdown has previously said he would be open to selling the men's side if the right investors came along.
"I believe now is that time for City Women," Lansdown said.
"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 were one of the founding clubs in the Women's Super League in 2011, spending five campaigns in the top flight.
They memorably beat Barcelona in 2014 in the Champions League and have reached two FA Cup finals in 2011 and 2013.
But in recent years they have yo-yoed between the WSL and WSL2 with three relegations, the most recent in 2024.
They have opened the 2025-26 campaign with one win and one defeat from their first two matches under new head coach Charlotte Healy.
'A sustainable way to invest in women's game'
Image source, Getty Images
Mercury13 co-founder Victoire Cogevina Reynal has already acquired Italian side Como FC
Mercure13 is led by businesswoman Victoire Cogevina Reynal - an American-born London-based entrepreneur and United Nations ambassador for gender equality in football - and Mario Malave and they said their ambition was to return Bristol City Women to the WSL.
The group, who have pledged to invest more than £80m buying and transforming women's clubs around the world, attempted to takeover Lewes FC Women in 2023.
Cogevina Reynal said: "We've always moved without fear - experimenting, innovating, and staying a step ahead - and this acquisition once again proves there is a powerful and sustainable way to invest in the women's game."
Malave added: "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."
Bristol City Women next play Southampton away in the WSL2 on Saturday, 21 September.
Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed
