The WSL officially began in the 2025/26 season, so here is your guide to the opening weekend, all the games, news, and headlines breaking the front pages this weekend.
The WSL will kick off with the defending champions, Chelsea, who are looking to win it for the seventh time in a row. They will face Manchester City in a pivotal opener at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea has had their forward injury issues with Lauren James and Mayra Ramzerz, both out with hamstring injuries, and Lucy Bronze is recovering from her broken Tibia.
Sam Kerr has been announced as officially part of the match-day squad, though it is not certain how significant a role she will play in the game. Sonia Bompastor, the manager, has asked to manage expectations as she comes back to the pitch after 20 20-month ACL layoff
On the other hand, City has a fully fit side, unlike last season. These two sides met five times last season. Chelsea came out on top, won the League Cup, came from behind to make it through the Champions League, and won both the WSL matches, so City are looking for revenge.
Emily Heaslip, the ref for this match, was scrutinised in 2023 for the standards she gave out: 11 yellow cards. Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp were sent off with double yellows for fouls, time-wasting, and dissent. Other players were also booked for City.
Given her track record, there is considerable concern about her being the ref for this opener.
This is manager Andrée Jeglertz's first WSL game in charge of Manchester City, with them just signing Grace Clinton, though it is unlikely she will start this game.
- Key Fixtures
- Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses: A high-stakes debut for the newly promoted, well-backed independent side. Saturday, 1:30 pm kick off on the BBC
- The rest of the matches will take place on Sunday
- Merseyside derby: Liverpool vs. Everton at Anfield.
- Other matchups include Brighton vs. Aston Villa, Man Utd vs. Leicester, and Spurs vs. West Ham
London City Lionesses’ Bold Entry
Backed by billionaire Michele Kang, this independent club has signed record-breaking players like Grace Geyoro—shattering transfer records—and enters the WSL with the ambition of not just surviving the top four. Their captain said it would be a poor season if they were not in the top three, competing with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.
The first fully independent WSL club arrives with firepower—Jana Fernández, Nikita Parris, Katie Zelem, and Danielle van de Donk—casting themselves as genuine contenders from day one
Arsenal’s Ambitions in Focus
After finishing their Champions League triumph, Arsenal aim to knock Chelsea off the domestic throne. They’ve made impactful moves, including the historic £1m signing of Olivia Smith.
As part of Sky's new bumper rights partnership with the Women's Super League, Sky Sports will broadcast 118 matches from the WSL every season, up more than three times from the number of games previously shown.
With 78 fixtures shown exclusively, and over 75 per cent of matchweek first picks, women's football fans are guaranteed to get their live football fix from the best games across England's top flight.
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