WSL: Final day of the season ‘will be brought forward by a day’

Final day of the WSL season ‘will be brought forward by a day to avoid clashing with Premier League finale on May 28’ – ensuring match-going fans don’t miss out on climax of either competition

  • Proposed change due to the comparative late finish of the men’s season
  • Organisers are keen for match-going fans not to miss out on final day action
  • The swap could lead to a positive impact on viewership of the WSL finale

The last day of Women’s Super League fixtures will be rearranged by one day to ensure there is no clash for followers of both the WSL and the Premier League, as per reports.  

The final fixtures of the Premier League is due to be played on Sunday May 28, with all matches kicking off at 4.30pm. 

Previously, WSL fixtures were scheduled on the same day with kick-offs tentatively set for 2pm, but the organisation will be making good on the switch, first proposed in January, to move the matches forward by a day to 3pm. 

As per Telegraph Sport, an announcement is anticipated once the decision is agreed by all major parties, with broadcasters and the Football Association both keen for the women’s game to benefit from the increased exposure the final day will have if showcased on a different day to the Premier League finale. 

The first-time clash between the two competitions’ fixtures is due to the comparatively late finish of the men’s season, after regularly scheduling was interrupted by the winter World Cup in Qatar. 

Saturday May 27 was long considered the likely alternative to Sunday, despite women’s football traditionally taking place on Sunday afternoons throughout the WSL season. 

Chelsea fans will be able to watch last year’s champions, and the men’s team, wrap up their seasons due to the scheduling change

The final day of the Premier League was delayed by a week due to the Qatar World Cup

The final day of the Premier League was delayed by a week due to the Qatar World Cup

But the importance of allowing home or away match-going fans to attend either one of their team’s matches without missing out, as well as the opportunity to increase viewership rather than setting it up against the men’s league, has led to conversations around the change since the start of 2023. 

In the previous two seasons, the WSL title race has reached a nail-biting conclusion, with final fixture results keeping teams in contention until the final whistle. 

In 2021 Chelsea pipped Manchester City to the post to be crowned champions while their closest competitors battled across the capital against West Ham across to no avail. 

A year later, the Blues invited similar late drama, winning their third consecutive WSL title by the skin of their teeth, having gone down 2-1 against Manchester United at half-time and all but handing the title to rivals Arsenal. 

They rallied and scored three times after the break, with Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten the heroes of the hour. 

Similar scenes are expected this season, with the top four currently separated by a scant six points. 

United lead Chelsea by a solitary point, but the defending champions have a game in hand, as do fourth-placed Arsenal. 

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