On Sunday the 8th of September the Women’s Championship will start the 2024/2025 season. This year it’s looking a little different. Reading withdrew from the competition due to financial problems, leaving only eleven teams. The FA confirmed that the 11 teams are competing for the promotion to the WSL. This time only one team is to be relegate and the 2025/2026 season will start with twelve teams again. Here you will find out exactly where to watch the Barclays Women’s Championship, what teams are in the league, a little bit about their new summer signings and the upcoming schedule.
Teams in the Women’s Championship 2024/2025
The new faces to the competition this year are Newcastle United who won the FA Women’s National League North and Portsmouth who won the FA Women’s National League South. This season is their Women’s Championship debut. Bristol City was relegated from the WSL but they are of course not new to the Women’s Championship. Let find out a little more on the participating clubs.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City had a busy transfer summer signing Ava Baker, Rebecca McKenna, Tegan McGowan and Ashanti Akpan. As well as reinforcing the coaching staff with goalkeeper coach Tony O’Neill and a new assistant head coach Chelsea Noonan. Noonan has a lot of experience from her time in the A-League in Australia and will support head coach Amy Merricks in the upcoming season.
Blackburn Rovers
With five new signings in August, only Blackburn Rovers is getting ready for the season ahead. Ellie Noble from Crystal Palace, Hannah Luke comes over from Creighton University and Maria Edwards from SGS Essen. The three players sign permanent deals with the Blackburn Rovers. To add more depth to the squad Ellie Hack and Eve Clarkson also transferred to the club. The team will work together with head coach Simon Parker and the new Head of Women’s Football Nick Birchall towards a successful season.
Bristol City
The club was relegated to the Women’s Championship. Crystal Palace took their place in the WSL next season. Bristol City saw many players leave and are now getting ready for the battle for promotion. To do so they signed Lloyd-Smith and Harley Bennet as well as extending some contracts. Lloyd-Smith is a winger, who departed Southampton after scoring five goals for them last season. Bennet brings a lot of expertise. The 34-year-old defender signed a one-year deal with Bristol City, leaving Watford.
Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic took their chances this transfer summer and signed Princess Ademiluyi on a loan deal. The football player from West Ham United is only 18 years old but already a promising forward. Charlton Athletic came in second last season. The battle with Crystal Palace lasted until the end of the season but it was Palace that was promoted to the WSL. Charlton will be looking to end up as the number one this time.
Durham
Three summer signings and facing Manchester United in pre-season. A better start for Durham is not possible. The match against Manchester United was on the 14th of August behind closed doors. The perfect moment to test the new signings: striker Carly Johns, New Zealand International Hanna Blake and forward Abbi Grant. Durham ended up on 9th place last season. A little too close to relegation.
London City Lionesses
Jocelyn Prêcheur is the new head coach of the London City Lionesses. A lot is expected from him this season with all the investments in the team. After Asllani more players signed for the club such as the talented Shen Mengyu, Julia Roddar, Charlene Meyong, Gesa Marashi and Miljana Ivanovic. The club is relocated to Hayes Lane to play on an improved playing surface. The supporters will also have access to a wider range of matchday hospitality, improving the overall experience for everyone.
Newcastle United
Newcomer Newcastle United won the FA Women’s National League North to earn their place in the Barclays Women’s Championship. The latest women’s transfer news whispers that the club is interested in signing Nikita Parris from Manchester United. The player still has a one-year contract with the club. Other new additions are Demi Stokes, Sophie Haywood, Rachel Furness, Claudia Moan and Deanna Cooper.
Portsmouth
Pompey Women prepared for the upcoming season with a friendly against Crystal Palace. The match was divided in three thirty minute periods and the head coach was able to give most of his players minutes. The club signed multiple new players this summer such as Annie Hutchings, Erin McLaughlin, Megan Hornby, Hannah Coan and Sophie Barker. Portsmouth was only just promoted to the Championship after winning the FA Women’s National League South.
Sheffield United
Ash Thompson stepped up as the new head coach of Sheffield United. He arrived at Sheffield United in 2021 as a development team manager. He will continue to develop the young talents from the club. New signings this summer included Monique Robinson from Leicester City and Abbie Lafayette from Watford. The club ended on 7th place last season. A lot of room for improvement.
Southampton
A friendly match against Arsenal is in the pre-season planning for Southampton. The match will be played on the 31st of August. Remi Allen will have the perfect opportunities to test her players for the upcoming season. Aimee Palmer, midfielder, was the sixth summer signing for Southampton. Palmer started at Bristol City and later played for Manchester United. She brings a ton of experience to the team.
Sunderland
Last but not least: Sunderland. On Sunday the 25th of August the team will play a friendly against Everton to prepare for the next season. One of their last signings was Jessie Stapleton on loan from West Ham United.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to watch the Women’s Championship 2024/2025?
YouTube replaces the FA Player. Go to the Barclays Women’s Championship YouTube to watch full matches, replays and highlights.
Who is the top favourite for winning the title this season?
Our personal favourite are the London City Lionesses. Owner Michelle Kang invested a lot in new players and we are very interested to see how this will play out. You can invest all you want in a team, but that is not all that is necessary for a successful season.
What Women’s Championship matches are today?
Check out our schedule with upcoming matches to make sure you don’t miss any women’s football games. In our schedule you find kick-off times and where to watch.
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