Bristol City Women's team is set to undergo a significant transformation as Mercury 13, a US-based multi-club ownership group, acquires a majority stake in the team. The deal, which is subject to league approval, will see the Lansdown family, owners of Bristol City for the past three decades, hand over stewardship of the women's side to Mercury 13 while retaining a minority stake. Victoire Cogevina Reynal, co-founder of Mercury 13, expressed her excitement about the acquisition, stating that it will allow the group to add value to the clubs in their portfolio. Bristol City Women, formerly known as Bristol Academy WFC, has a rich history in the Women's Super League, having reached two Women's FA Cup Finals and finished as runners-up in the WSL in 2013. The team was promoted to the top flight at the end of the 2022-2023 season but was relegated the following year. Mercury 13 has invested in the club's Tier 1 Academy and will develop a clear and competitive pathway from youth to first team. The group's ambition is to redefine the landscape of the women's game through strategic investment, competitive ambition, and fan-focused growth. Stephen Lansdown, owner of Bristol City, believes that the investment is a special and important time for the club, and that Mercury 13 is the right partner at the right time. The deal will establish a new model for women's football, combining an integrated club structure with commercial independence. Mercury 13's acquisition of Bristol City Women is the group's second move on the continent, following the purchase of Serie A side Como Women in 2024. The size of the investment has not been disclosed. Bristol Sport Group has invested significant sums into both the men's and women's sides, including a £50m redevelopment of Ashton Gate and Robins High Performance Centre. Under Mercury 13's stewardship, the women's club will call Ashton Gate its home and will continue to train at the performance centre. The growth in women's football is astounding, and the investment is expected to bring about significant changes to the team. Mercury 13's co-founder, Victoire Cogevina Reynal, and Mario Malave founded the group in 2023 with the ambition of building a portfolio of clubs in Europe and South America. The group entered exclusive talks to acquire lower-division English side Lewes FC in 2023 but ultimately walked away. A year later, Mercury 13 made its first move, securing a controlling stake in Como. Bristol City Women were identified early in Mercury 13's market mapping as a club of significant potential with the infrastructure, legacy, and fanbase to evolve into one of the leading names in English women's football.