WSL opening fixtures: Manchester City visit Arsenal, Chelsea host Aston Villa

Chelsea will begin their push for a sixth straight Women’s Super League title against Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow but the most striking fixture in the opening round takes Manchester City to Arsenal.

City, who finished behind Chelsea on goal difference last season in pursuit of a first WSL title since 2016, will be hosted at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 22 September in a 12.30pm kick-off. The match takes Vivianne Miedema back to Arsenal after she joined City at the end of her contract.

Related: High-profile pre-season tours are a double-edged sword for women’s game | Suzanne Wrack

Chelsea start under their new manager, Sonia Bompastor, who has taken over from Emma Hayes , on Sunday. The former Lyon coach’s first game in charge against Villa will be shown live by the BBC, and she faces a tricky run of opening fixtures. Chelsea visit top-flight debutants Crystal Palace in a Friday night game before hosting Manchester United and then visiting Arsenal in their third and fourth matches.

United, who won the FA Cup last season under Marc Skinner, will host West Ham. Liverpool, who won four out of their final five games last term, host Leicester, while Brighton welcome Everton. and promoted Palace make the trip to Tottenham.

The 22-game season will feature a winter break between 15 December and 19 January. The final day of the season, on 11 May next year, will see Chelsea host Liverpool, Arsenal entertain Manchester United and City welcome Crystal Palace.

WSL key fixtures

Week one:
Arsenal v Manchester City (12.30pm)
Brighton v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Leicester City
Manchester United v West Ham
Tottenham v Crystal Palace
All games to be played 22 Sept

Round two:
Crystal Palace v Chelsea (27 Sept, 7.30pm)
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Everton v Manchester United
Leicester v Arsenal
Manchester City v Brighton (12.30pm)
West Ham v Liverpool
All games 29 Sept unless stated

Round three:
Arsenal v Everton
Brighton v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Manchester United
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v West Ham
Tottenham v Liverpool
All games 6 October

Round four:
Arsenal v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Leicester
Crystal Palace v Brighton
Everton v West Ham
Liverpool v Manchester City
Manchester United v Tottenham
All games 13 October

Final round:
Arsenal v Manchester United
Aston Villa v Brighton
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Tottenham
Leicester v West Ham
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
All games 11 May 2025
Full WSL fixture list