Seven Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs are among 14 English teams that will allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands during the 2025-26 season.
It comes after an initial trial at four second-tier sides during the 2025-26 season.
The BBC have reported that the trial was a success, with 66% of the 51,000 fans were in favour of the idea.
Holly Murdoch, the chief operating officer for WSL football, said the expansion was “part of our strategy to offer a best-in-class experience.”
The 14 clubs involved can implement the trial at as many fixtures as they wish this coming season.
Unlike men’s football, the women’s game is not covered by legislation in the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol in view of the pitch.
Which WSL and WSL2 clubs are taking part in the alcohol trial this season?
Women’s Super League teams
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- Everton
- Liverpool
- London City Lionesses
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
The teams not taking part in the trial presently are Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Women’s Super League 2 teams
- Birmingham City
- Bristol City
- Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United
- Sheffield United
- Sunderland
- Southampton
The five WSL2 teams not taking part are Charlton Athletic, Durham, Ipswich, Nottingham Forest and Portsmouth.
What happened during the alcohol trial in the 2024-25 season?
As per the WSL, the initial version of the trial took place at Birmingham City, Bristol City, Newcastle United and Southampton during the second half of last season.
This ran across 19 league fixtures between January and May 2025 and involved over 51,000 supporters
From the games involved, there were no reported safety accidents and 84% of surveyed fans rated their sense of safety between 9 and 10.
Clubs, players and match officials noted no change to fan behaviour, while average expenditure inside stadiums increased, alongside a growth in attendance.
What is the purpose of the alcohol trial at WSL and WSL2 grounds?
The WSL’s trial on alcohol inside grounds is aimed to test it at a larger scale across a full season covering a range of stadiums and attendance sizes.
Holly Murdoch – Chief Operating Officer for WSL Football – said: “Expanding this trial for the new campaign, encompassing our Barclays WSL teams and additional Barclays WSL2 clubs too, is part of our strategy to offer a best-in-class experience for our fans attending matches.
“Exploring giving supporters the choice to drink alcohol in the stands was something we were excited to trial and following such positive feedback from the proof-of-concept version, we’re looking forward to opening it up to more venues and equally, hearing from those at the heart of it – our clubs and supporters.”
When does the WSL season start?
The WSL and WSL2 season gets underway on the weekend of September 6th and 7th.
Clubs from the top two tiers will discover the order of their opponents on Friday, July 25th, when the fixtures are announced.
