With the WSL opening weekend less than a month away, fans are prepping for what looks set to be a mouthwatering season.
Who’s playing who on the opening day? Who are the big new signings to look out for?
Here’s your quick guide to the WSL opening weekend fixtures.
London City Lionesses vs Manchester United (Fri 4 Sep, 19:00)
You’d struggle to find two clubs with more contrasting summer transfer windows.
London City Lionesses have been non-stop, with several blockbuster signings including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas; Barcelona’s long-serving centre-back and four-time Champions League winner Mapi León; and former England No.1 and ex-PSG shot-stopper Mary Earps.
The Lionesses look to be very much on the ascent; however, the Reds have had a super-quiet break with only two senior signings. They’ve also recently parted ways with their manager of 5-years, Marc Skinner.
Utd finished well clear of the London City Lionesses in last season’s WSL table, with 13 points separating the teams.
However, buoyed by a strong summer of business and with some global superstars on their roster, it’s likely that the Lionesses will be confident of picking up points against Utd on the WSL opening weekend.
Manchester City vs Birmingham City (Sun Sep 6, 14:00)
Manchester City go into the new season as WSL champions after ending a decade-long wait for the title last term, doing the double with an FA Cup final win over Brighton too.
Birmingham City, meanwhile, arrive in the WSL for the first time since 2021/22 after winning the WSL 2 title last season, and will be looking to establish themselves.
This clash between the two WSL victors from last season will undoubtedly see the newly-promoted Birmingham City doing all they can to stamp an early mark on the 26/27 campaign.
Charlton Athletic vs Liverpool (Sun Sep 6, 14:00)
A fitting fixture to kick off life in the top-tier for newly promoted Charlton, who will no doubt arrive full of confidence after being promoted from WSL2.
Liverpool, meanwhile, spent much of last season dicing with the relegation zone and finished their latest campaign in 11th.
With Charlton’s promotion pedigree up against a Liverpool side who struggled last year, this looks like one of the more evenly matched fixtures of the WSL opening weekend.
Full WSL Opening Weekend Fixtures
Friday, 4 September, 2026
- London City Lionesses vs Manchester United
Saturday, 5 September, 2026
- Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Sunday, 6 September, 2026
- Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal
- Charlton Athletic vs Liverpool
- Crystal Palace vs Everton
- Manchester City vs Birmingham City
