The Barclays Women’s Championship will return for the 2024/25 season on September 7th. Following the sad omission of Reading FC, 11 clubs will fight for a spot in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Newcastle United and Portsmouth FC make their way into the second tier of women’s football in England, following their promotions from the Women’s National League North and South respectively. Crystal Palace lifted the trophy at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, and will now battle it out to keep their place in the top flight.

This time around, YouTube will become the go-to for fans wanting to stream non-broadcasted Barclays Women’s Super League and Championship games. Selected matches will be available to watch live around the world, meanwhile The FA Player will show Adobe Women’s FA Cup fixtures and content.

All fixtures for the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Championship season are available to view here.

Opening Weekend

The opening weekend will see Birmingham City host Sunderland AFC Ladies. The Blues, as they begin the season with new manager Amy Merricks, will set out to challenge The Lasses, who finished a respectable third in last season’s league table standings.

Last season’s runners-up, Charlton Athletic, will be visited by newcomers Portsmouth FC. Pompey will travel from the South Coast to The Valley, looking to begin their inaugural Barclays Women’s Championship season on a high. Meanwhile, Karen Hills hopes to help the Addicks do one better this season, as they chase promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League once again.

After an immensely difficult 2023/24 season, Sheffield United are set to visit Durham FC for their opening game. Newly-appointed manager Ash Thompson will lead the Blades as they strive to challenge the Wildcats at Maiden Castle.

At their new ground Hayes Lane, under new boss Jocelyn Prêcheur, London City Lionesses welcome newly-promoted Newcastle United. Certain to be an interesting one, this clash sees two clubs that have made marquee signings over the summer go head-to-head. The Magpies brought in Manchester City legend Demi Stokes, whilst The Pride invited Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani to join their ranks.

Relegated from the top tier, Lauren Smith’s Bristol City will journey to St Mary’s Stadium to meet a much-changed Southampton FC side. The Robins will be looking to return to the Barclays Women’s Championship with vengeance, meanwhile the Saints are surely keen to impress under new head coach, Remi Allen. The fixture sees Lexi Lloyd-Smith make a return to her old club, having signed with Bristol City from Southampton this summer.

Blackburn Rovers will play their first match of the season the following the opening weekend, hosting London City Lionesses at the County Ground. Simon Parker’s side finished comfortably sixth in the league table last season, missing out on a spot in the top five as they finished behind Sheffield United based on goal difference.