The WSL's 2026/27 season — now a 14-team league for the first time — kicks off with a full round of fixtures spread across three days, September 4 to 6. Every club plays once, including all three newly promoted sides making their top-flight debuts.
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Sept 4 | London City Lionesses vs. Manchester United | 7:00 PM |
| Sat, Sept 5 | Chelsea vs. Aston Villa | 12:30 PM |
| Sun, Sept 6 | Brighton vs. Arsenal | 12:00 PM |
| Sun, Sept 6 | Tottenham vs. West Ham | 12:00 PM |
| Sun, Sept 6 | Charlton Athletic vs. Liverpool | 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Sept 6 | Crystal Palace vs. Everton | 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Sept 6 | Manchester City vs. Birmingham City | 2:30 PM |
All times ET-adjacent broadcast slots per Sky Sports' opening-weekend coverage; check local listings for exact air times.
The opener: London City hosts Manchester United
London City Lionesses get the honor of kicking off the season Friday night, and they'll do it with a statement roster after signing two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas this offseason — her expected debut against a Manchester United side that's finished as a top-four club in recent seasons makes this the single match of the weekend with the most eyes on it.
The promoted clubs' first tests
Birmingham City, Charlton Athletic, and Crystal Palace all earned promotion from WSL 2 and get thrown straight into the deep end Sunday. Birmingham draws the toughest assignment of the three, traveling to face defending champions Manchester City. Charlton visits Liverpool, and Crystal Palace hosts Everton in what's the most winnable-looking fixture of the three promoted sides' openers.
Elsewhere on the slate
Chelsea open their title defense bid a day early against Aston Villa on Saturday, while Sunday's other two fixtures — Brighton hosting Arsenal and a London derby between Tottenham and West Ham — round out a weekend that puts all 14 clubs on the field before the season's first international break.
← Back to the Blog