The 2026-27 Women’s Super League (WSL) season kicked off in early September 2026, expanded to 14 teams for the campaign [1, 2]. Manchester City entered as reigning champions after ending a 10-year title drought in the 2025-26 season [1, 2]. City manager Andree Jeglertz said the challenge ahead is to sustain success: "Winning in one year is one thing, but being able to win in the next year, that is even tougher ... we have good enough players to be able to play with one starting 11 on Saturday and do a couple of changes on Wednesday and still win" [1].
Manchester City will host promoted Birmingham City on Sunday, September 6, with star forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw secured on contract until 2030 [1, 2]. Arsenal, who finished runners-up last season behind City, strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window to close the gap [1, 3, 2]. Manager Renee Slegers expressed confidence, saying, "We've been growing the last couple of years... The next step is to be even closer and to be up there to compete for the first place" and confirmed the club's ambition for the title: "The WSL title is something we're going after... there's a real hunger" [1, 3]. Arsenal open away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday [1, 3, 2].
Chelsea have seen significant squad changes this season, losing key players Millie Bright to retirement and Sam Kerr to Gotham FC, while signing Katie McCabe from Arsenal [1, 3, 2]. The Blues will host Aston Villa on Saturday, September 5 [1, 2]. Chelsea won the domestic treble including the WSL title in the 2024-25 season and had six consecutive WSL titles before City ended their run last season [1, 3].
The London City Lionesses started their season with a victory over Manchester United on September 4 and have made a marquee signing in Spain superstar Alexia Putellas [1, 3, 2].
Arsenal’s summer signings include England midfielder Georgia Stanway, Spain World Cup winner Ona Batlle, and Switzerland captain Geraldine Reuteler, who replace departed players Beth Mead and Katie McCabe [3]. Arsenal also knocked Chelsea out of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals last season [3].
The weekend fixtures include Chelsea hosting Aston Villa today, September 5, followed by Manchester City hosting Birmingham City and Arsenal visiting Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow, September 6 [1, 3, 2].
