2026–27 WSL Players Cup

The 2026–27 WSL Players Cup is the 16th edition of the Women's Super League and Women's Super League 2's league cup competition. It is sponsored by Subway, and is officially known as the Subway Players Cup for sponsorship reasons. Prior to this edition of the competition, Subway renewed their partnership with WSL Football. 23 teams from across the WSL and WSL 2 compete in the competition.

The 2026–27 edition marks the first following the tournament's restructure and rebrand. The new title—the "Players Cup"—was chosen "to recognise that the new format has been built around player welfare principles." A Swiss-style league format sees the 23 teams participate in two stages, the League Phase and Knockout Phase. Within the League Phase, teams are split into two regionalised sections.

Additionally, the teams competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League (Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea) are not participating in the Players Cup due to their increased schedule load and to maximise playing opportunities for squads without continental competition. As such, current League Cup title holders Chelsea are unable to defend their title, and the 'quadruple' no longer remained possible for the season.

League Phase fixtures were announced on 6 August 2026.

Teams

WSL WSL 2 Northern Region Southern Region Northern Region Southern Region Aston Villa Birmingham City Everton Liverpool Manchester United Brighton & Hove Albion Charlton Athletic Crystal Palace London City Lionesses Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Burnley Durham Newcastle United Nottingham Forest Sheffield United Sunderland Bristol City Ipswich Town Leicester City Southampton Watford Wolverhampton Wanderers

Format Following the competition's restructure, the format consists of two stages: the League Phase and the Knockout Phase.

League Phase (September–December 2026) League Phase games are split into two regionalised groups (Northern and Southern), with all teams ranked in a combined league table. Title holders Chelsea, WSL champions Manchester City, and WSL runners-up Arsenal are not competing due to their participation in the UEFA Women's Champions League. League Phase games will be played between September and December 2026 on Champions League matchdays.

Each team will play six matches within their region, three home and three away fixtures. Most teams will face three WSL and three WSL 2 opponents, however three Northern WSL teams (Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester United) will play two WSL and four WSL 2 opponents.

Teams are ranked by points (3 points for a win, 0 points for a loss). If a match is level after 90 minutes, it will be decided by a penalty shootout. The shootout winner will receive two points, while the other team will be awarded one point. The top eight teams in the combined league table will advance to the Knockout Phase.

Knockout Phase (January–March 2027) Following the League Phase, the top eight teams will be drawn into seeded quarter-finals, with the highest-ranked team facing the eighth-ranked, and so on. The higher-ranked team in each tie will have home advantage. The winners will progress to the semi-finals, where the higher-ranked team will again have the home advantage.

The final will be played at a yet-to-be-confirmed, neutral venue on the weekend of 13 and 14 March 2027.

League Phase

Northern Region

Southern Region

Knockout Phase

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

2026–27 WSL Players Cup

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