An initial pilot scheme began in the second tier in January 2025, involving Birmingham City, Bristol City, Newcastle United and Southampton, and was expanded across both divisions before the 2025-26 campaign, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United among the clubs involved.
After the trial involving 20 clubs, 29 venues and 190 fixtures, WSL Football, the body responsible for the top two tiers of English women’s football, has approved the removal of the rule forbidding alcohol from being drunk in view of the pitch from the leagues’ competition regulations.
Under the new regulations, clubs will not be required to introduce alcohol in the stands, and those taking part will be expected to communicate the change with supporters.
Women’s football is not covered by the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which prohibits drinking alcohol in view of the pitch in the top five tiers of English men’s football.
The women’s leagues had previously followed the same restrictions while administered by the Football Association. The professional women’s leagues separated from the FA in 2024, allowing WSL Football to test the scheme. Clubs involved typically had designated sections in the stadium where drinking alcohol in the stands was permitted.
The WSL surveyed more than 4,000 supporters during the trial, and the proportion who supported giving fans the choice to drink alcohol in the stands rose from 58 per cent in summer 2025 to 69 per cent after the 2025-26 season. Those surveyed continued to rate the atmosphere at matches as safe and family-friendly.
The WSL and WSL 2 seasons will begin on the weekend of September 4-6.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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