Voted for by a combination of the public and a panel of industry experts, the successful individuals for the first month of 2026 are as follows.

Firstly, Arsenal’s Kim Little has been named as Player of the Month after enjoying an impressive January for the Gunners.

Kim Little (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The midfielder was instrumental as Arsenal went unbeaten last month, completing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw against Manchester United and playing a notable role in their 2-0 win over London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Little beat her teammate Anneke Borbe, Liverpool’s Jenna Clark, Aston Villa’s Kirsty Hanson, Manchester City’s Kerolin Nicoli and Manchester United’s Jess Park to the award.

The aforementioned Jess Park however did secure Goal of the Month for her effort against Aston Villa – a game that ended in an emphatic 4-1 win for the Red Devils.

Strikes from Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore (v West Ham United), Aston Villa’s Hanson (v Brighton), Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey (v Chelsea), Manchester United’s Julia Zigiotti (v Aston Villa), West Ham United’s Verena Hanshaw and Shekiera Martinez (both v Leicester City) and London City Lionesses’ Freya Godfrey (v Manchester City) were also in contention.

Finally, the Manager of the Month accolade has been awarded to Liverpool’s Gareth Taylor, who led his team to an impressive 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur and a goalless draw against London City Lionesses in their two league outings during January.

Three-time winner of the award Andrée Jeglertz (Manchester City), Manchester United’s Marc Skinner and Arsenal’s Renée Slegers were also in the running.

With thanks to the WSL

A weekend that will see Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Subway® Women’s League Cup Final at Ashton Gate on Sunday 15 March, 2.15pm kick-off, live on BBC One and Sky Sports, there are also four league fixtures taking place earlier that same day.

First up, Aston Villa against Manchester City at Villa Park and London City Lionesses versus Arsenal at the CopperJax Community Stadium will both be shown exclusively on Sky Sports with 11.55am kick-offs.

Additionally, Tottenham Hotspur versus Everton, and Liverpool against Leicester City – also kicking off at 11.55am – will be shown across Sky Sports and the BWSL YouTube channel.

Following their involvement in the final meanwhile, Chelsea’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United’s trip to West Ham United will be played on Wednesday 18 March, kicking off at 7pm at Kingsmeadow and 7.15pm at the Chigwell Construction Stadium respectively.

Additionally, all Barclays WSL 2 fixtures across the same weekends will be available to watch on the division’s own YouTube channel. 

With thanks to the WSL

At a time of year when people are searching for new rituals, new starts and new habits, women’s football provides a welcoming community where everyone can belong.

To mark the return of league action, women’s football legend Karen Carney OBE extends an open invitation to attend a women’s match in a new film for WSL Football. As Karen gets back to football following her winning turn on Strictly Come Dancing, she says: “I really hope that you all get down to a Barclays WSL game – it might be cold outside, but you know what, it will be a warm feeling and a warm spirit at those games.”

In the 90-second film, Karen reflects on the special support she received from the women’s football community during her Strictly Come Dancing journey. She talks about what to expect when attending women’s football matches, and how it feels welcoming, remarks on loyalty from former teammates and receives a message from Emma Hayes, her former boss at Chelsea–highlighting the welcoming and supportive nature that exists within the women’s football community.

Before winning series 23 of the iconic BBC show, Karen Carney enjoyed a star-studded football career where she played for her hometown club Birmingham City, Arsenal and Chelsea. She also represented England at four World Cups and four European Championships and played for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Karen retired six and half years ago and now works as a broadcaster.

The video is available to watch HERE with a long-form version coming next week.

To support the action on the pitch, clubs up and down the country will be creating their own match day activations throughout January for back to football ranging from supporter soundbaths and wellbeing boxes, organised mental health walks, arts and crafts stations plus partnerships with Brown Girl Sport, Lonely Girls Cub and Baller FC.

To find out more about the activations and matches near you, the Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2, visit www.wslfootball.com

With thanks to the WSL

First up, Manchester City will host Leicester City at the Joie Stadium on Saturday 14 February, with a 12pm kick-off in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The following day will see a quartet of midday kick-offs, with Manchester United versus London City Lionesses and Chelsea versus Liverpool both available to watch exclusively on Sky Sports.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa against Tottenham Hotspur and Everton against West Ham United can be watched across Sky Sports or on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel.

Finally, Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Arsenal to Broadfield Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the game kicking off at 2.30pm and set to be shown live on BBC iPlayer.

All fixtures are subject to change pending the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round draw.

Additionally, all Barclays WSL 2 fixtures across the same weekend will be available to watch on the division’s own YouTube channel.

Voted for by a combination of the public and a panel of industry experts, the successful individuals for the final month of 2025 are as follows.

Firstly, Manchester City’s Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has been named as Player of the Month

The Jamaican scored a historic 100th goal in all competitions for City to become the first female player to reach a century for the club in the professional era, while she notched four times against Aston Villa and twice against Leicester City – coupled with an assist.

The striker saw off the challenge of her teammate Vivianne Miedema, Everton’s Honoka Hayashi, Tottenham Hotspur’s Olivia Holdt, Liverpool’s Beata Olsson and Arsenal’s Olivia Smith.

Manager of the Month meanwhile has been awarded to Shaw’s manager, Andrée Jeglertz, who makes it a hat-trick of successes in a row in this category having scooped the accolade in October and November.

City built on their superb league form to make it 10 wins from 11 Barclays WSL matches to end the year boasting a six-point lead at the top of the table, scoring nine goals in their two league outings.

Jeglertz was up against Arsenal’s Renée Slegers with the Gunners having enjoyed a successful December with back-to-back wins to move them into the top three, but the City boss was victorious once again.

Finally, Shekiera Martinez’s effort against Manchester United has been voted as Goal of the Month.

Olivia Smith (v Liverpool and Everton), Dominique Janssen (v West Ham United), Katie McCabe (v Everton), Honoka Hayashi (v Arsenal), Sandy Baltimore (v Brighton) and Ella Toone (v Tottenham Hotspur) were also in contention, but the German striker’s impressive bicycle kick came out on top in the voting polls.

With thanks to the WSL

As part of this partnership, Mercedes-Benz UK also becomes the Presenting Partner of the first ever play-off match. For this season, the third-placed Barclays WSL2 club could secure promotion to the top tier if they beat the club that finishes bottom of the Barclays WSL.

The partnership between Mercedes-Benz UK and WSL Football strengthens the brand’s commitment to supporting women’s sports on a global level. Mercedes-Benz AG has been an Official Patron of the Women’s Open golf tournament since 2024, and on 1 January 2026 entered into a long-term agreement with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to become both its Premier Partner and Exclusive Automobile Partner.

Olivier Reppert, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz UK, said: ” The Mercedes-Benz story began 140 years ago with a bold idea that changed the world. Now, that same spirit of innovation and ambition drives our partnership with WSL Football. We are proud to collaborate with WSL Football to inspire and engage the next generation of players and fans.”

Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football, said: “Partnering with Mercedes-Benz UK at this defining moment in the season reflects the scale, momentum and commercial potential of the women’s game. Bringing a brand of this calibre into WSL Football as our Official Automotive Partner will help us elevate the game, deepen engagement with fans and players and accelerate long-term growth across both leagues.”

The Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 season resumes after its winter break on 10 January, when Arsenal plays Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London and Southampton take on Portsmouth at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

With thanks to WSL Football

Both games – Arsenal versus Manchester United at Meadow Park, and Manchester City versus Chelsea at the Joie Stadium – will be shown live on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel, Sky Sports and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Wednesday 21 January 2026.

Ticket information meanwhile is available directly on each club’s website and social channels.

The winners of each tie will meet in the Subway® Women’s League Cup Final on Sunday 15 March 2026, 2.15pm kick off at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

Additionally, the game will be shown live on BBC One and Sky Sports.

Tickets for the final at Ashton Gate will go on sale this month, but supporters can register their interest now for an exclusive priority window HERE.

Early Bird prices are as follows:

Following the Early Bird window, adult and concession tickets will increase by £5 in all categories, with group and Under-18s prices remaining unchanged.

With thanks to the WSL

Following victories for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in their quarter final ties prior to Christmas, dates and kick-off times for their semi-final fixtures are as follows:

Arsenal v Manchester United, Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7pm KO, Mangata Developments Stadium, Meadow Park
Manchester City v Chelsea, Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7pm KO, Joie Stadium

Broadcast details for each fixture will be confirmed in due course, with ticket information available on each club’s channels.

The winners of each tie will meet in the Subway® Women’s League Cup Final on Sunday 15 March 2026, 2.15pm kick off at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.

The game will also be shown live on BBC One and Sky Sports. Tickets for the final at Ashton Gate will go on sale this month, but supporters can register their interest now for an exclusive priority window HERE.

Early Bird prices are as follows:

Following the Early Bird window, adult and concession tickets will increase by £5 in all categories, with group and Under-18s prices remaining unchanged.

With thanks to the WSL

The weekend’s action will get underway with Leicester City against Manchester United at the King Power Stadium on Saturday 7 February, 12pm KO, in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The following day, Sky Sports will show Arsenal against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium and Liverpool against Aston Villa at St Helens Stadium – both kicking off at midday.

West Ham United against Brighton & Hove Albion, and London City Lionesses versus Everton will also be 12pm kick-offs on Sky Sports, but will also be available to watch on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel.

Finally, later that same day, the BBC will show Tottenham Hotspur against Chelsea live from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 2.25pm kick-off.

Additionally, all Barclays WSL 2 fixtures across the same weekends will be available to watch on the division’s own YouTube 

With thanks to WSL

The four games are as follows:

Crystal Palace v Arsenal – Sunday 21 December, 1pm KO,
VBS Community Stadium 

Liverpool v Chelsea – Sunday 21 December, 1pm KO,
St Helens Stadium

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur – Sunday 21 December, 1pm KO,
The Progress With Unity Stadium

West Ham United v Manchester City – Sunday 21 December, 1pm KO,
Chigwell Construction Stadium

Ticket details for each match will be available on individual club websites in due course.

Additionally, each quarter final will be shown live on the Barclays WSL YouTube channel, with supporters able to watch all four games simultaneously courtesy of YouTube Multiview.

The semi-finals of the competitions meanwhile – set to be played over January 21 and 22, 2026 – will be as follows:

Crystal Palace OR Arsenal v Manchester United OR Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United OR Manchester City v Liverpool OR Chelsea

Across both the quarter and semi-finals, there will be 30 minutes of extra time and penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

The final will then be contested across the weekend of March 14 and 15, 2026 – with details including the date, kick-off time and venue to be confirmed soon.

With thanks to the WSL