The FA Women’s National League has today confirmed the schedule for the upcoming 2025/26 season following a successful year for the league.
The season will officially begin on Sunday 17 August, running through until Sunday 26 April. This season we’ll see nine new teams entering the FA WNL and they will take part in some exciting fixtures on the opening weekend, including seeing newcomers Sheffield FC and Kidderminster Harriers facing each other in their first game in Division 1 Midlands.
We will also see newly promoted Tier 3 teams AFC Bournemouth facing Billericay Town, Loughborough Lightning taking on West Bromwich
Albion, Real Bedford playing AFC Wimbledon and Middlesborough up against Burnley in their opening fixtures.
The FA WNL has also announced the schedule of the FA WNL Cup and changes to the format which now sees teams competing in a group stage before the 22 group winners, along with the 10 best runners-up, progress to the Cup Knockout Stage. The remaining 12 runners-up, plus the 20 best third-placed teams, will advance to the Plate Knockout stage. The first group games will kick off week commencing 18 August, culminating on Sunday 28 September. For those that progress to the Knockout stages of the Cup and Plate, round one will take place on Sunday 19 October.
After an incredible year of growth across the league, this year promises to be another big one with increased competition, investment and entertainment with crowds anticipated to increase again after a summer of football at the Women’s EUROs.
The full fixtures for the opening weekend across the FA WNL are as follows:
WNL Southern Premier Division:
AFC Bournemouth vs. Billericay Town
AFC Wimbledon vs. Real Bedford
Cheltenham Town vs. Exeter City
Gwalia United vs. Oxford United
Lewes vs. Watford
Plymouth Argyle vs. Hashtag United
WNL Northern Premier Division:
Burnley vs. Middlesbrough
Hull City vs. Halifax
Liverpool Feds vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Loughborough Lightning vs. West Bromwich Albion
Rugby Borough vs. Derby County
Stoke City vs. Sporting Khalsa
WNL Division 1 North:
Blackburn Rovers vs. Cheadle Town Stingers
Huddersfield Town vs. Doncaster Rovers Belles
Leeds United vs. Chorley
Norton & Stockton Ancients vs. Chester-le-Street Town
Stockport County vs. Wythenshawe
York City vs. Durham Cestria
WNL Division 1 Midlands:
Barnsley Women vs. Worcester City
Lincoln United vs. Boldmere St Michaels
Northampton Town vs. Leafield Athletic
Notts County vs. Peterborough United
Sheffield FC Women vs. Kidderminster Harriers
Sutton Coldfield Town vs. Stourbridge
WNL Division 1 South West:
Bournemouth Sports vs. Abington United
Bristol Rovers vs. Ascot United
Keynsham Town vs. Marine Academy Plymouth
Moneyfields vs. Bridgwater United
Portishead Town vs. Worthing
Swindon Town vs. Maidenhead United
WNL Division 1 South East:
AFC Sudbury vs. Chatham Town
Chesham United vs. London Bees
Fulham vs. Cambridge United
>Luton Town vs. Dulwich Hamlet
MK Dons vs. Queens Park Rangers
Norwich City vs. Actonians
There are midweek games scheduled including after the opening day, while all fixtures can be found at this link.
The FA WNL Cup and Plate rounds will take place on the following dates:
Round 1 – Sunday 19 th October
Round 2 – Sunday 9 th October
Quarter Final – Sunday 11 th January
Semi-Final – Sunday 1 st February
Final – TBC
