The Subway Women’s League Cup is set to unveil a new name and format for the 2026/2027 season.
WSL Full-Time received this announcement via an official press release from WSL Football this morning.
It has been confirmed that the competition will now be called the Subway Players Cup. Subway has secured a multi-year sponsorship deal, continuing its role as the principal sponsor of the event.
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The competition’s format is also being revamped. A Swiss-style league phase will replace the previous structure, featuring regional matchups. Each club will now play a minimum of six matches during this league phase, an increase from past years.
The top eight clubs in the rankings will advance to the knockout stage, mirroring the format used in earlier editions.
In a contentious decision, the three Barclays Women’s Super League clubs competing in European tournaments will not take part in the Subway Players Cup.
In light of today’s announcement, Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer of WSL Football, stated, “Subway has proven to be a valued partner of the League Cup, and we are confident they will bring the same energy, creativity, and commitment to the Players Cup.”
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“We aimed to create a platform that offers meaningful playing time for young and fringe players while addressing the disparities in playing opportunities across leagues without compromising our player welfare principles in an increasingly busy women’s calendar. We’ve consulted widely within the sport about our vision, and we believe we’ve found a positive solution that can make the Players Cup an exciting new domestic competition in England.”
The draw for the league phase will occur on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The final for the 2026/2027 Subway Players Cup is scheduled for the weekend of March 13/14, 2027.