Chelsea Women have officially announced that they will make Stamford Bridge their permanent home starting next season.
The team will host all 13 of their Women’s Super League (WSL) matches at the 40,000-seat stadium beginning next season.
In addition to the WSL matches, Chelsea aims to host Women’s League Cup, FA Cup, and Champions League games at Stamford Bridge, depending on scheduling conflicts with the men’s team, which may necessitate finding alternate venues for certain cup matches.
Stamford Bridge has already hosted a handful of WSL matches each year, including four this season and three last season, and it has been the venue for Chelsea’s Women’s Champions League matches since 2023.
This decision was made after consultations with players, the Chelsea Fan Advisory Board (FAB), and various fan groups, marking the end of their nearly decade-long tenure at Kingsmeadow. The club played the majority of its matches at Kingsmeadow since 2017.
The nearly 5,000-seat ground in southwest London is closely tied to Chelsea’s successful era over the last decade, during which they secured seven of their eight WSL titles while based there.
“We are grateful to be engaged in women’s football, with thousands of our amazing supporters standing by us. Kingsmeadow will always hold a special place in our hearts for everything our fans, staff, and local community have contributed to our journey,” said Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor in a statement.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the squad and every player who has worn the Chelsea shirt. We are excited to welcome you all in September and to provide an environment that will help us continue to write the next chapter for this remarkable club.”
“This presents a fantastic opportunity for us to grow, compete at the highest level, and create a unique atmosphere in a venue we all adore.”
In the fiscal year ending June 2025, the club generated nearly £12 million in revenue by selling Kingsmeadow to their women’s team. Additionally, they sold the women’s team to a subsidiary company in 2024 for around £200 million, contributing significantly to a profit of £128.4 million for that year.
Chelsea joins other WSL clubs such as Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Leicester City in hosting all their league matches at the men’s stadium. The first-ever WSL match at Stamford Bridge occurred in 2019 against Tottenham, where Chelsea has won 13 of their 14 games at the venue, with their only defeat coming against Arsenal in January of this year.
The Champions League semifinal second leg in 2024 marked the first time Chelsea Women’s side sold out Stamford Bridge, although they were defeated 2-0, which ultimately became Emma Hayes’ final match at the stadium.
The remaining two home matches for Sonia Bompastor’s team this season will be hosted at Stamford Bridge, against Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal and Manchester United on the last day of the WSL. The latter match could be crucial in ensuring Chelsea qualifies for European football next season.
– Arsenal keeps Chelsea waiting for Champions League qualification
– Sonia Bompastor: biography, titles, records, and career highlights
– Lineker’s podcast issues apology over James thumbnail
“Your support inspires us, and we aim to continue inspiring you while further developing one of the most passionate fan bases in women’s football,” the Chelsea players expressed in an open letter to their supporters.
“This marks a new chapter, but our goals remain consistent. We aspire to win more trophies and create additional history, which has always been Chelsea’s tradition — and we will uphold that legacy with our supporters by our side at the Bridge.”
Information from PA contributed to this report.