Chelsea Women open season against Man City as they aim to win seventh WSL title in a row

Chelsea Women begin their 2025/26 campaign tonight, Friday, September 5, with a heavyweight clash against Manchester City, kicking off a new Women’s Super League season in style.

The defending champions arrive at Stamford Bridge on the back of six consecutive WSL titles, a run that has cemented their place as the dominant force in English women’s football.

A blockbuster start

Opening weekends rarely get bigger than this.

Manchester City, who finished second last season, will be eager to make a statement and close the gap on their rivals.

Matches between the two clubs have often gone a long way to shaping the title race, and tonight’s fixture could set the tone for the months ahead.

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A new season, same challenge

This is the club’s second season under manager Sonia Bompastor, who replaced long-time boss Emma Hayes last year.

In her first season, the Frenchwoman won the domestic treble, and will be winning to do one better this season with the UEFA Women’s Champions League seemingly eluding the Blues.

A record transfer

The squad has undergone change over the summer, with the arrival of United States international Alyssa Thompson grabbing headlines.

The 20-year-old winger, signed from Angel City for a potential record fee, is in contention to make her WSL debut.

Chelsea’s head of women’s football, Paul Green, described Thompson as “a dynamic winger with electric pace, who can play on either wing and is very good in one-on-one situations.”

Could she be the key to unlocking Chelsea’s attack outside of the WSL?

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