Women’s Super League champions Manchester City will begin their title defence at home against newly promoted Birmingham City on September 6, with the expanded 14-team competition set to start two days earlier on September 4, the WSL announced on Thursday.
Birmingham City earned promotion after winning the 2025-26 WSL2 title and will face the reigning champions in their first WSL fixture of the new campaign.
Manchester City open WSL title defence against Birmingham
Manchester City will start the new season on home soil as they look to defend their WSL crown. Their opening opponents, Birmingham City, return to the top flight after securing the 2025-26 WSL2 championship.
The 2026-27 WSL season will feature 14 teams, with the campaign officially getting underway on September 4.
Alexia Putellas could make WSL debut
The opening weekend could also see two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas make her WSL debut. London City Lionesses will host Manchester United in the opening match of the season.
The fixture could also see London City goalkeeper Mary Earps face her former club Manchester United.
Charlton return to WSL after promotion
Promoted Charlton Athletic will begin their campaign at home against Liverpool. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, return to the WSL after a one-season absence and will host Everton.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur will face West Ham United in a London derby, while Chelsea welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge. Brighton & Hove Albion will host Arsenal.
WSL fixture calendar required extensive planning
WSL Football said it ran more than 1.5 billion fixture scheduling iterations while creating the new-season calendar.
The scheduling process took into account stadium availability, broadcasting requirements and potential clashes involving domestic and European competitions across both the men’s and women’s games.
New WSL season begins in September
The expanded 14-team WSL will begin on September 4, with Manchester City starting their title defence two days later against Birmingham City.
The opening fixtures also bring promoted and returning teams back into the top flight, while the presence of established contenders such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool sets up a competitive start to the new campaign.
Source: Reuters.
