The summer break is over, and the buzz is back! The 2025/26 Women’s Super League season is finally upon us, promising a campaign packed with drama, new faces, and historic changes. With a groundbreaking new broadcast deal, significant shifts in promotion and relegation, and a transfer window that saw the first-ever £1 million transfer in women’s football, this season is shaping up to be one for the history books. Let's dive deep into what to expect.
A New Era of Broadcast and Expansion
The WSL has secured a new five-year partnership with Sky Sports, which will see nearly 90% of all matches broadcast live. This unprecedented level of coverage is a massive step forward, putting the league in the spotlight like never before. It will give fans more access to their favourite teams and players, helping to grow the women’s game even further.
On top of that, the league is expanding to 14 teams for the 2026/27 season. This means that the 2025/26 campaign will have a unique promotion and relegation structure. The top two teams from the Women’s Championship will be automatically promoted, while the bottom-placed WSL team will enter a high-stakes play-off against the third-placed Championship side. This exciting change adds even more drama to the bottom of the table, ensuring that every point counts until the very last kick of the ball.
The Title Race: Who Will Reign Supreme?
After securing a record-extending sixth consecutive title, Chelsea are once again the team to beat. Despite the departure of legendary coach Emma Hayes, the Blues showed no signs of slowing down under new boss Sonia Bompastor, going unbeaten throughout the previous campaign. With a squad full of European Championship-winning talent, they are the clear favourites to lift the trophy again.
However, the pressure is on from a revitalised Arsenal. The Gunners, fresh off a massive Champions League victory, have made a serious statement in the transfer window. The signing of Olivia Smith from Liverpool for a reported £1 million fee has been a landmark moment for women's football, signalling their intent to challenge Chelsea's dominance. With their home games all set to be played at the Emirates Stadium, they will be hoping to turn their passionate fan base into a genuine home advantage.
Manchester City and Manchester United will also be looking to close the gap on the top two. City, who had a rocky finish to last season, have made key signings like Jade Rose and Iman Beney to bolster their squad. Meanwhile, United, who finished third last season, have a difficult opening schedule but will be looking to build on their European qualification with a strong start.
Transfers to Watch: New Faces, New Hope
The summer transfer window has been buzzing with activity, with clubs across the league strengthening their squads. Beyond Arsenal's record-breaking signing, we've seen some other significant moves:
Jill Baijings to Aston Villa: The Dutch international joins a Villa side that finished last season on a high, and she'll be key to their hopes of breaking into the top four.
Nikita Parris and Poppy Pattinson to London City Lionesses: The newly-promoted Lionesses have made a statement of their own by bringing in experienced WSL talent. Their opening day clash against Arsenal at the Emirates will be a true test of their ambition.
Ellie Roebuck to Aston Villa: The England goalkeeper's move from Barcelona is a huge coup for Villa and a big boost to their defensive stability.
These transfers, along with countless others, promise to add a new level of competitiveness to the league, making for an unpredictable and exciting season.
The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever
With increased broadcast coverage, a unique promotion and relegation format, and a host of new talent, the 2025/26 WSL season is set to be the most compelling yet. The title race is a fascinating battle between a dominant Chelsea and a resurgent Arsenal, while the fight for European spots and survival is wide open. It's time to buckle up and get ready for a season of unforgettable moments.