Manchester City Women begin their Women's Super League title defence as the 2026-27 season kicks off this week. The champions, who finished first in the final 2025 table with 55 points from 22 games, are four points clear of Arsenal W and will aim to build on a campaign where they scored 62 goals and conceded just 19. nytimes.com first reported the story.
This information was reported by The Athletic. The new WSL season started on Friday with London City Lionesses hosting Manchester United, a match broadcast live on Sky Sports.
How does the expanded WSL affect the title race?
The league has grown from 12 to 14 teams for the new campaign. Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City, and Crystal Palace have all been promoted, while Leicester City was the only side relegated last season. This expansion adds fresh challenges for Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea, who are all seen as the primary contenders for the trophy. The increased number of fixtures means squad depth and consistency will be even more important.
Manchester City's final 2025 record of 18 wins, one draw, and three losses demonstrates the level required to win the league. Their recent form of WWLWW shows they finished strongly. Fans can track the evolving battle at the top on our standings page throughout the season.
What are the key squad changes for rivals?
Several rival clubs have made significant moves. Manchester United has undergone a managerial change, with Eva Olid replacing Marc Skinner after his five-year tenure. The Red Devils were busy in the transfer market, signing Hacken winger Monica Jusu Bah and Washington Spirit defender Rebeca Bernal before the deadline, along with full-back Andrea Medina and goalkeeper Janina Leitzig. They also sold France forward Melvine Malard to Chelsea in a club-record deal and promoted teenagers Layla Drury, Jess Anderson, and Scarlett Hill.
Elsewhere, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas signed with London City Lionesses. These moves reshape the competitive landscape Manchester City must navigate.
Why is Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw so important?
Manchester City's title defence is massively boosted by the contract extension of star striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw. She signed a new four-year deal after a phenomenal individual season. Shaw finished as the WSL's top scorer with 21 goals in 22 matches, becoming the first player ever to record three separate 20-goal seasons in the competition's history.
Her goal-scoring prowess was a cornerstone of City's success last term, contributing significantly to their impressive goal difference of +43. Keeping her at the club secures their most potent attacking threat. The full squad details all the players available for the campaign ahead.
How can fans watch the WSL this season?
Broadcast coverage remains extensive for the 2026-27 season. Sky Sports will show 90 per cent of WSL matches live, which amounts to 163 games in total. The BBC retains rights to broadcast the remaining 10 per cent of fixtures. This ensures widespread accessibility for fans wanting to follow Manchester City's quest for back-to-back titles.
The season's opening match was scheduled for Friday at 7pm UK time (3pm ET/12pm PT). A full list of upcoming matches for Manchester City Women can be found on our fixtures page.
What is the broader context for the new season?
Players across the league are also preparing for the 2027 Women's World Cup, which will be the biggest in history for participating teams and scale. Some internationals have joined WSL clubs specifically for tactical and physical preparation ahead of the tournament. This adds an extra layer of motivation and intensity to the domestic season.
Promotion and relegation rules have been clarified with the expansion. The WSL2 champions now earn automatic promotion, while the bottom WSL team is automatically relegated. A play-off between the WSL2 runners-up and the 13th-placed WSL team will decide the final promotion spot. Manchester City's first match of their title defence is set for this weekend.
