Fixtures are out. The WSL 2026/27 season is confirmed, running from the opening weekend of 4-6 September through to the final weekend on 22-23 May 2027. It's a landmark season too, the WSL expands to 14 teams for the first time, with Birmingham City coming up as WSL2 champions, Crystal Palace returning after a season away, and Charlton Athletic promoted via the play-off.
Every match across both the WSL and WSL2 will be available to watch live, either on Sky Sports, the BBC, or YouTube.
A huge summer of transfers
This season arrives off the back of one of the biggest transfer windows the WSL has seen. London City Lionesses have been the story of the summer, landing two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas on a three-year deal from Barcelona, alongside England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who joins from Paris Saint-Germain. Reports suggest Mapi León is expected to follow her former Barcelona teammates to London City too.
Arsenal have been busy as well, bringing in Georgia Stanway from Bayern Munich and Ona Batlle to help fill the gap left by Beth Mead's departure to Manchester City on a three-year deal. Manchester City have also added Niamh Charles from Chelsea, while newly-promoted Birmingham City have strengthened at the back and in midfield with Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund, both arriving from Manchester United.
All of which sets up that opening night fixture perfectly, Mary Earps returning to Old Trafford's opposite number to face her former club Manchester United, on the same night Alexia Putellas makes her WSL debut.
Opening weekend
The season kicks off on Friday 4 September with London City Lionesses hosting Manchester United, live on Sky Sports at 19:00, a game dripping with subplots given the summer's transfer business.
Across the rest of opening weekend: WSL champions Manchester City host 2025-26 WSL2 champions Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove Albion take on Arsenal, promoted Charlton Athletic welcome Liverpool, there's a London derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, Chelsea host Aston Villa, and Crystal Palace mark their WSL return against Everton.
September broadcast schedule
All four September match rounds have confirmed broadcast picks and kick-off times.
Match Round 1
| Date | Fixture | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 4 Sept | London City Lionesses vs Manchester United | 19:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 6 Sept | Chelsea vs Aston Villa | 12:30 | BBC One |
| Sun 6 Sept | Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal | 12:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 6 Sept | Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United | 12:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 6 Sept | Charlton Athletic vs Liverpool | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 6 Sept | Crystal Palace vs Everton | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 6 Sept | Manchester City vs Birmingham City | 14:30 | Sky Sports |
Match Round 2
| Date | Fixture | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 12 Sept | West Ham United vs London City Lionesses | 12:45 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 13 Sept | Manchester United vs Chelsea | 12:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 13 Sept | Birmingham City vs Brighton & Hove Albion | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 13 Sept | Everton vs Charlton Athletic | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 13 Sept | Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 13 Sept | Arsenal vs Crystal Palace | 14:45 | BBC Two |
| Sun 13 Sept | Aston Villa vs Manchester City | 14:30 | Sky Sports |
Match Round 3
| Date | Fixture | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 18 Sept | Manchester City vs Liverpool | 19:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sat 19 Sept | Charlton Athletic vs London City Lionesses | 12:30 | BBC One |
| Sat 19 Sept | Chelsea vs Birmingham City | 12:45 | Sky Sports |
| Sat 19 Sept | Arsenal vs Manchester United | 17:30 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 20 Sept | Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 20 Sept | Crystal Palace vs Tottenham Hotspur | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 20 Sept | West Ham United vs Everton | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
Match Round 4
| Date | Fixture | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 26 Sept | Charlton Athletic vs Manchester City | 13:30 | BBC iPlayer |
| Sat 26 Sept | London City Lionesses vs Brighton & Hove Albion | 17:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 27 Sept | Manchester United vs West Ham United | 13:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 27 Sept | Birmingham City vs Crystal Palace | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 27 Sept | Liverpool vs Everton | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 27 Sept | Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa | 14:00 | Sky Sports |
| Sun 27 Sept | Chelsea vs Arsenal | 16:30 | Sky Sports |
Where to watch
Sky Sports show 90% of all WSL matches live, 163 games across the season, with the BBC picking up select fixtures on BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer. WSL2 matches are available on YouTube. Find a pub showing the game near you →
Key dates for the season
2026/27 season at a glance
What's changed this season?
The WSL grows to 14 teams for the first time. Birmingham City go up automatically as WSL2 champions, Crystal Palace return to the top flight after just one season away, and Charlton Athletic complete their promotion via the play-off. There's also a new pre-qualifying match at the end of the season between the 2nd and 3rd placed WSL2 teams, with the winner facing the 13th placed WSL side in the Play-Off.
In the WSL2, FAWNL promotion winners Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to Watford and Newcastle United respectively on opening weekend, while Leicester City begin life in the division away at Sheffield United.
Find your pub for the new season
No sign up. No app. Just find a verified venue showing women's football near you.
Find a pub →