Airbnb and WSL Football Are Launching Player Accommodation Fund

With the summer transfer window just weeks away, Airbnb will support players with moves to the Barclays Women’s Super League and BWSL 2 clubs through a new multi-year partnership with WSL Football as its official accommodation and unique experiences partner. 

Relocation is one of the most challenging, yet least visible pressures in professional football. In some cases players have spent up to £1000 to cover costs associated with accommodation. To support players through the transition and help them find a home on new ground, today, Airbnb and WSL Football are announcing a £1 million Player Accommodation Fund, available to players across every transfer window over three years, providing short-term accommodation when they need it most.  

Eligible players will be able to access the fund directly through WSL Football during transfer windows, giving them a home as they relocate between clubs and settle into new teams, new cities and new communities.

Support during transfer moves differs across the game, with Airbnb and WSL Football committed to changing that with the offer of a consistent baseline through accommodation, so that regardless of which club a player joins, they have what they need to settle and perform. Encouragingly, relocation support is an area clubs are actively investing in.

Former England international Fara Williams said: “One of the major issues when moving between clubs is finding suitable accommodation during the transition period. During one of my moves, I had to initially stay with the manager until I was able to secure permanent accommodation, because at that time, players were often not paid enough to comfortably rent suitable housing immediately. As a result, we frequently relied on informal arrangements, such as staying with friends, teammates, or club staff. 

In my own experience, I also had periods where I was effectively living out of a suitcase, which meant I had to pay for storage for my belongings. An arrangement that was far from ideal and added unnecessary stress. This is where initiatives like Airbnb can make a real difference. By providing safe, short-term accommodation options, players are able to settle more quickly and focus on their performance on the pitch, rather than off-field logistical challenges.”

Lisa Marcais, General Manager for Northern Europe and MEA at Airbnb, said: “The transfer window is a huge moment in a player’s life that can cause disruption. The Player Accommodation Fund is our practical commitment to helping with some of the associated costs. This partnership goes beyond the transfer window – we want to elevate the women’s game, and celebrate the fans that come together around a shared passion. WSL fans regularly make weekends of away fixtures, travelling to new cities to follow their teams, and helping people feel at home somewhere new is what Airbnb does best. We’re excited to be part of the women’s football movement and support the game, fans, and community on and off the pitch.”

Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football said: “We aim to put the players and fans at the heart of everything we do and the partnership with Airbnb showcases this. Building an away fan culture is integral to the growth of the game and Airbnb want to support our clubs and fans with this, from accommodation through to experiences. 

“And as the transfer market continues to evolve, we also want to support players and clubs by removing a potential area of friction when players find themselves in new locations for the first time. With two more clubs in the BWSL for the 2026/27 season, we expect to see even more movement this summer.”