Manchester City Women are deep into their final preparations for the new Barclays Women's Super League season. The defending champions will kick off their 2026/27 campaign at home to Birmingham on Sunday 6 September, as reported by the club's official website, mancity.com.
Andrée Jeglertz's squad returned to the City Football Academy on a Monday to begin their preseason work. With the new season less than two weeks away, the intensity at the training ground has ramped up significantly. The team enters the new season from a position of strength, having finished top of the final 2025 WSL table with 55 points from 22 games, a record of 18 wins, one draw and three losses.
What have the preseason friendlies shown?
The squad has tested itself against high-calibre opposition in recent weeks. Manchester City Women played preseason friendlies against Italian side Fiorentina, European giants Barcelona, and domestic rivals Arsenal. These matches provided vital match fitness and tactical sharpness ahead of the competitive action. The team's recent form from the tail end of last season, which ended with a sequence of wins and a loss, suggests a squad ready to compete from the off. You can view the profiles of the players involved on our squad page.
How does last season's success set the stage?
Finishing as champions with a four-point lead over Arsenal gives Manchester City Women a psychological edge. Their title-winning campaign was built on a potent attack and a solid defence, scoring 62 goals and conceding just 19 for a goal difference of +43. Manager Andrée Jeglertz will be aiming to instil the same consistency and ruthlessness in this new campaign. Maintaining that standard is the primary challenge for any champion, and the preseason work is designed to meet it.
What is the immediate focus before the opener?
The immediate target is the season opener against Birmingham at the Joie Stadium. The match is scheduled for a 14:30 UK time kick-off. All training sessions now are geared towards being fully prepared for that first whistle. The coaching staff will be finalising match plans and ensuring every player understands their role. The full schedule for the coming months is available on our fixtures list.
Where does the squad stand competitively?
Entering the season as title holders brings its own pressure, but also confidence. The team's league standing from last season shows they were the most consistent side in the competition. That final table, which you can review on our standings page, placed them clearly at the summit. The goal now is to start the new season with the same intensity that secured the trophy, using the remaining training days to iron out any final details. The work done now forms the foundation for the long campaign ahead.
