An unmissable addition: Barclays WSL and WSL2 to debut in FM26
One of the headline additions for the debut of Women’s Football in Football Manager 26, Sports Interactive can today reveal a new multi-year partnership with WSL Football.
This deal means that the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 will be fully licensed in FM26 with official player photos, club logos and kits.
Founded in 2011, the Barclays WSL is one of the world’s leading women’s football competitions and is home to some of the biggest stars in the women’s game. The 2025/26 WSL season is set to be the biggest yet, with all 132 games available to view on TV or online thanks to record-breaking broadcast deals with Sky Sports, the BBC and YouTube.
From November 4, Football Manager fans will be able to break new ground and discover a new world of possibilities as they step into the dugouts of the 24 BWSL and BWSL2 clubs.
Backed by the biggest database of its kind in games, more on the ground-breaking introduction of Women’s Football to Football Manager was revealed earlier this week in a dedicated video presented by Kelly Somers.
Miles Jacobson, Studio Director at Sports Interactive, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Barclays Women’s Super League and Women’s Super League 2 to the Football Manager family for FM26.
“Managers and figures within the league have been integral to the introduction of Women’s Football to our games, so it was only right that the leagues themselves were authentically represented too.
“I can’t wait to read and hear the stories from our players as they get to test their managerial skills in the WSL and WSL2 for the first time.”
Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football: “Bringing the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 to life for Football Manager 2026 opens another route for fans to engage with clubs, players and the competition in a completely new way.
Bringing women’s football to the game for the first time is a major moment for visibility. This partnership is full of potential and, as an avid Football Manager fan myself, I can’t wait to get my tactics board out and compete for virtual silverware.”
About Sports Interactive™️:
Sports Interactive is the world’s leading developer of sports management simulations. From their home at Here East, Stratford, SI creates immersive alternate realities that don’t just emulate sport, but shape it. The SI team are tenaciously passionate creators, bringing talented, ambitious people together to craft gaming experiences that forever stretch the possibilities of sports entertainment. It’s this ethos that caught the attention of SEGA®️, who brought SI onboard as a subsidiary in 2006. More info on the studio and its work can be found at www.sports-interactive.com.
About Football Manager™️:
Football Manager (FM) is the world’s leading football management simulation title and our iconic, award-winning series has captivated a global pool of players for two decades. FM takes players to the heart of the beautiful game and lets them create their own football story as manager of their favourite club. With more than 50 of the top footballing nations to manage in and a database of more than 800,000 active players and staff from around the world of football, the game offers tasks players with making the key decisions at their club offers an unrivalled simulation experience. FM has grown to become more than just a game and is now deeply embedded in the football industry with the FM database now powering the recruitment strategies of professional clubs around the world of football. The game has become an integral part of modern fan culture, shaping the discourse around the professional game. It has been the inspiration for several books, a stand-up comedy show and even a feature-length documentary. For more information on Football Manager, visit footballmanager.com.
