Women's Super League 2025/6: Your guide to the new football season

Who will get their hands on the WSL trophy this season?

Calling all football fans, the new Women's Super League (WSL) season is about to get started.

Last season saw Chelsea complete the domestic treble - meaning they won all three of England's biggest trophies.

But with several clubs making big summer signings, there are plenty of other teams in the running, all hoping to end Chelsea's winning streak.

So, what can we expect this season? Keep reading to find out.

Are you excited for the start of the new WSL season? Who do you support and who's your favourite player? Let us know in the comments below.

Can Chelsea win the WSL for seventh year in a row?

Chelsea finished last season without losing a single domestic match

Last season Chelsea won the WSL, 12 points ahead of Arsenal, who finished in second place.

It was the sixth year in a row that the Blues lifted the trophy and their eighth title in nine years.

It was also the first WSL title for Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes in summer 2024.

The big question this season is whether Chelsea can now make it seven league titles in a row. They'll certainly have plenty of competition.

Arsenal are the only English side to have won the Women's Champions League

Despite finishing as runners-up in the league, Arsenal picked up a pretty special trophy last season.

In May, they won their first Women's Champions League title, beating holders and favourites Barcelona 1-0 in the final.

In doing so, Arsenal became the first-ever English side to win the competition - something Chelsea have never managed to do.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City finished within five points of Arsenal - and within a point of each other - and will also have eyes on closing the gap to the top.

Several WSL clubs also made some big summer signings to strengthen their squads, so there are plenty of teams looking to end Chelsea's winning streak...

Who are this season's big WSL signings?

Arsenal signed striker Olivia Smith from rivals Liverpool in July for a record £1million fee

The biggest signing of the summer so far came in July, when Arsenal signed striker Olivia Smith from WSL rivals Liverpool in a world-record deal.

The £1,000,000 fee makes the 20-year-old the most expensive women's footballer in history.

Smith said it was "a privilege and an honour" to sign for the north London club and that she was "excited to get started."

Olivia will join Chloe Kelly, who has signed for Arsenal permanently after a successful loan spell from Manchester City last season.

Teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang, who picked up Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2025, has returned to Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan.

England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck has joined Aston Villa, having spent last season with Barcelona.

And Chelsea have signed Australia defender Ellie Carpenter from French champions Lyon on a four-year contract.

Which team has been promoted to the WSL?

London City Lionesses lifted the Women's Championship trophy in May this year

The London City Lionesses - not to be confused with the nickname of the England women's team - will play in the WSL after winning the Championship title earlier this year.

They become the first independent team (with no link to a men's club) to earn a place in the Women's Super League.

And the newly promoted team have certainly been looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the season, with eleven new arrivals.

They include England forward Nikita Parris and midfielder Katie Zelem.

Which WSL clubs do the Lionesses play for?

The Lionesses won Euro 2025 and became the first senior English side to defend their title

In July, England brought home the Women's Euro trophy for the second time in a row after defending their European title in Switzerland.

The majority of this summer's winning England team play in the Women's Super League, with Chelsea and Arsenal the two clubs with the most Lionesses in their squads.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton plays for Chelsea, as do defenders Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles, midfielder Keira Walsh and strikers Aggie Beever-Jones and Lauren James.

England captain Leah Williamson plays for Arsenal along with fellow defender Lotte Wubben-Moy and forwards Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo.

Michelle Agyemang also plays for Arsenal, having joined the club's academy at the age of six. However this season she will be on loan at Brighton.

A small number of Lionesses play their club football overseas.

They include Jess Carter, who plays for Gotham FC in the US. Fellow defender Esme Morgan is at Washington Spirit, and midfielder Georgia Stanway plays in the Frauen-Bundesliga for Bayern Munich.

When does the 2025 WSL season begin?

Stamford Bridge in west London will host this season's opening WSL fixture

The 2025/26 WSL season gets underway on Friday 5 September with Chelsea taking on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Saturday 6 September sees Arsenal at home against newly promoted London City Lionesses.

The rest of the WSL teams play their first matches on Sunday 7 September, with kick-off at midday:

Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Everton

Manchester United v Leicester City

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United