A year has passed since the 2025/26 Barclays Women's Super League season got under way, with an opening weekend that delivered goals, drama and plenty of early talking points. Now, we're looking back at where it all began and revisiting the fixtures that set the tone for another memorable campaign.
It all began under the lights at Stamford Bridge, where defending-Champions Chelsea welcomed Manchester City. Two of the league's biggest clubs were immediately thrown together, with Chelsea looking to build on their dominance while City aimed to make a strong start under their new-look squad.
Ellie Carpenter marked her competitive debut for the Blues with an assist for the opening goal, with Aggie Beever-Jones heading in just after the half-hour mark.
Maika Hamano added a second for Sonia Bompastor’s side in the second half, before a Niamh Charles own goal meant the deficit was halved for City. Ultimately, Chelsea would begin their campaign with all three points.
Across London, Arsenal began their season with the visit of newly-promoted side London City Lionesses at the Emirates. For London City, it was a historic occasion as they prepared for their first season competing at the top level of English women's football, while Arsenal began a campaign with expectations high following their European success.
The European Champions went behind early as Kosovare Asllani netted from the spot. But, they wouldn’t be behind for too long. Olivia Smith, making her debut for the Gunners after her £1m move from Liverpool, equalised in unbelievable fashion, before Chloe Kelly put them ahead just before the break.
Late on, Arsenal would secure the three points thanks to goals from Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum off the bench.
Attention then turned to Leigh Sports Village, as Manchester United looked to start their campaign strongly as they hosted Leicester City.
Marc Skinner’s side made the perfect start against the Foxes, with Ella Toone opening the scoring after 13 minutes. Elisabeth Terland headed in a second for United, as they sat comfortably at half-time.
In the second half, Melvine Malard added two goals and the Red Devils finished as routine winners in their opening fixture.
A Merseyside derby at Anfield was next, with Liverpool hosting Everton in Gareth Taylor’s first game in charge.
Cornelia Kapocs put the home side ahead, before the Toffees levelled things up through Ornella Vignola who scored on her debut after making the summer move from Granada.
In the fourth minute of injury time, Everton were ahead as Katja Snoeijs headed in. Vignola would mark her Everton debut with two further goals, completing her hat-trick, and earning Brian Sørensen’s side the points.
Back in London, there was another derby on the opening weekend as Tottenham Hotspur were pitted against West Ham United.
In a cagey affair at Brisbane Road, Martin Ho’s first game in charge of Spurs took time for the opening goal to be scored and it would come from the penalty spot.
Eveliina Summanen was felled in the area by Katrina Gorry, and Bethany England stood up to dispatch from the spot with only four minutes of regular time remaining.
Finally, the weekend also saw Brighton & Hove Albion face off against Aston Villa at Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium.
With England manager Sarina Weigman in attendance, both sides created chances to take the lead. Rachel Daly hit the crossbar for Villa, before the Seagulls’ Michelle Agyemang had an effort hit the post.
There would be no breakthrough for either side, however, as the game remained goalless.
At the end of the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Barclays Women's Super League season, Manchester United would lead the pack after their rout against Leicester. With 18 goals scored across six games, it was a blockbuster start to a new campaign.
Twelve months later, those opening fixtures remain the first chapter in a season full of memorable moments.
