Women’s game alcohol pilot expands for 2025-26

A pilot allowing supporters in the women’s game to drink alcohol in the stands is set to expand for the coming 2025-26 season.

For the second half of the 2024-25 season drinking was allowed in the stands at four clubs in the Women’s Championship (now the Women’s Super League 2) and that pilot scheme is expanding to 14 clubs across the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Super League 2 (WSL2).

Following a successful evaluation from supporters, clubs and matchday staff, seven clubs have signed up for the second phase of the trial to run throughout the entirety of the 2025-26 season.

66% of supporters surveyed by the women’s leagues backed the trial – with 48% strongly supporting it – with many saying it had improved the overall matchday experience.

Holly Murdoch, chief operating officer for WSL Football, said: “Expanding this trial for the new campaign, encompassing our WSL teams and additional WSL2 clubs too, is part of our strategy to offer a best-in-class experience for our fans attending matches.

“Exploring giving supporters the choice to drink alcohol in the stands was something we were excited to trial and following such positive feedback from the proof-of-concept version, we’re looking forward to opening it up to more venues and equally, hearing from those at the heart of it – our clubs and supporters.”

During last season’s pilot, there were no reported safety incidents, with 84% of fans surveyed rating their sense of safety between nine and ten out of ten, while over three-quarters of supporters also indicated that they would be likely to recommend games to friends and family.

The clubs and venues set to take part in the next phase of the trial meanwhile are as follows:

Barclays Women’s Super League

• Arsenal (Emirates Stadium)
• Chelsea (Kingsmeadow & Stamford Bridge)*
• Everton (Goodison Park)
• Liverpool (St Helens & Anfield)
• London City Lionesses (Hayes Lane)*
• Manchester City (Joie Stadium)
• Manchester United (Leigh Sports Village & Old Trafford)

Barclays Women’s Super League 2

• Birmingham City (St Andrew’s)
• Bristol City (Ashton Gate)
• Crystal Palace (Sutton United)
• Newcastle United (St James’ Park)*
• Sheffield United (Bramall Lane)
• Sunderland (Stadium of Light)
• Southampton (St Mary’s Stadium)

*Chelsea, London City and Newcastle United’s involvement is still subject to local Safety Advisory Group approval.

All clubs across competing in both divisions were offered the opportunity to join the trial for the 2025-26 season, with 14 currently set to be involved. This number could increase once further approvals are in place from clubs’ individual Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs).

Head of women’s football at the FSA Deborah Dilworth said: “Ultimately this is about offering supporters choice at the match and It’s great to see women’s football continue to lead the way.

“We’re really pleased with how the pilot is progressing in a thorough, evidence-based manner – with serious engagement with supporters at its heart. We’ll be following its progress keenly.”

• The FSA is by fans, for fans – join for free here.