As the summer sun begins to set, the football world turns its attention to the promise of a new season. For women's football, this anticipation is at an all-time high, with leagues across Europe kicking off what is expected to be a historic and thrilling campaign. With new formats, key player movements, and rivalries set to reignite, the 2025/2026 season promises to be the most competitive yet.
Here’s an in-depth preview of what to expect from the continent's most exciting leagues.
England: Barclays Women's Super League (WSL)
The WSL is widely regarded as one of the most competitive leagues in the world, and the 2025/2026 season is set to prove it again. The league will officially begin on the weekend of September 6, 2025, and will run through to May 16-17, 2026. The opening weekend is packed with high-stakes fixtures, including a massive clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, a match that could set the tone for the entire title race.
The past season saw an intense battle for the title, and the new campaign is expected to be even more fiercely contested. With the perennial powerhouses like Chelsea and Manchester City leading the charge, and Arsenal and Manchester United constantly improving their squads, every point will be crucial. The competition isn't just at the top; the race for European spots will be just as thrilling. This season will also be the first for newly promoted teams, adding fresh blood and unpredictability to the mix.
Spain: Liga F
In Spain, the narrative for many seasons has been the dominance of Barcelona. The Catalan club has been a European powerhouse, and their domestic form is no different. As the new Liga F season kicks off on the weekend of August 15-17, 2025, the question on everyone's mind is whether anyone can finally challenge their supremacy. While teams like Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have invested heavily in their squads and are determined to close the gap, a major challenge still lies ahead.
Liga F is growing in stature, attracting top talent from around the globe. This influx of skill is raising the overall quality of the league and making it more captivating than ever. While Barcelona remains the clear favorite, the battles for the European qualification spots and the mid-table contests will be must-watch events.
France: Première Ligue (D1 Féminine)
The French league has a rich history and is known for producing some of the world's most gifted players. The 2025/2026 season will kick off on Saturday, September 6, 2025. This league is defined by its iconic rivalry between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). These two clubs have dominated the title race for years, and the next season is unlikely to be any different. The opening weekend will see some exciting fixtures, with Lyon facing Olympique de Marseille in a local derby and PSG taking on RC Lens.
The fight between Lyon and PSG is more than just a domestic title race; it often has huge implications for the UEFA Women's Champions League. Both clubs are regulars on the European stage, and their battles in France serve as a preview of what could happen in the later stages of Europe's top club competition.
Germany: Frauen-Bundesliga
The Frauen-Bundesliga continues to be a breeding ground for exceptional talent and tactical innovation. The new season, running from September 5, 2025, to May 17, 2026, marks a significant change for the league, as it expands to 14 teams for the first time. This new format promises more matches and more competition. The season will kick off with a blockbuster match between Bayern Munich and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The traditional title contenders, Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg, will once again be the teams to beat. However, with the league's expansion and the rise of other strong clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, the race for the top spots is expected to be tighter than ever. Hamburg and Union Berlin are two of the teams promoted into the league, bringing fresh energy and ambition.
Italy: Serie A Femminile
Italian women's football is on the rise, and the Serie A Femminile is quickly gaining momentum. The 2025/2026 season will officially begin on the weekend of October 4-5, 2025, with a new and exciting twist. Before the league season starts, the teams will compete in the inaugural "Women's Cup" starting in late August. This new competition will feature a group stage and a Final Four, giving clubs a chance to lift silverware right at the beginning of the campaign.
The league itself will feature 12 teams, with a heightened level of competition. Juventus and Roma will likely continue their rivalry at the top, but clubs like Milan and Fiorentina are also working hard to challenge for the title and European places.
The European Stage: UEFA Women's Champions League
The domestic leagues are the foundation, but the ultimate prize for many of these clubs is the UEFA Women's Champions League. The tournament begins its main stages in October, with the new league phase promising a more dynamic and competitive format. Teams from the top European leagues will compete in a single league table, with the top teams advancing to the knockout rounds. The final will be held in Oslo, Norway, on a date to be confirmed between May 22-24, 2026. This new format will further highlight the quality of Europe's top clubs and promises an even more exciting and unpredictable journey to the final.