WSL 2025-26 Season: Champions Chelsea Start Against Man City as Historic Campaign Begins
New Season Kicks Off with Blockbuster Matches
The 2025-26 Women’s Super League season will begin with a heavyweight clash as defending champions Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on September 5. This showpiece opener will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, highlighting a remarkable opening weekend where all six fixtures will be televised.
Key Fixtures and Schedule
The schedule features several compelling matches, including newly-promoted London City Lionesses visiting Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on September 6. Another highlight comes on matchday eight when Chelsea face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 8, while the first Manchester derby of the season will take place at the Etihad Stadium on November 16.
The season will run until May 16, 2026, with a winter break scheduled from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
Broadcast Coverage and Accessibility
Most Women’s Super League matches will kick off at 12pm on Sundays, subject to stadium availability, providing fans with a regular viewing window. Sky Sports will broadcast matches across multiple channels, including Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, showing 90 percent of all matches, with 78 games exclusive to their platform.
Title Race and Competition
Chelsea will be pursuing their seventh consecutive WSL title, though they face strong competition from European champions Arsenal, who have made headlines by signing Liverpool’s Olivia Smith as women’s football’s first £1m player. Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are also expected to compete strongly, with several clubs beginning new eras under fresh management.
Historic Changes Ahead
The 2025-26 season marks a significant transition period as the WSL prepares to expand to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season. This season’s relegation structure will see the bottom-placed team enter a promotion/relegation play-off against the third-placed WSL2 side.
