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Chelsea to play all WSL games at Stamford Bridge from 2026-27 season
TL;DR
Chelsea Women will play all their Women's Super League home matches at Stamford Bridge starting in the 2026-27 season. This decision follows consultations with players and fans, marking the end of their tenure at Kingsmeadow.
Key points
- Chelsea Women will play all WSL games at Stamford Bridge from 2026-27.
- The decision was made after consulting players and fans.
- Kingsmeadow will no longer host the women's first team matches.
- Kingsmeadow will still be used for women's academy games.
- Stamford Bridge has a capacity of 41,312.
Chelsea WomenWomen's Super LeagueTottenham Hotspur
Chelsea to play all WSL games at Stamford Bridge from 2026-27 season
Chelsea Women will play all their Women’s Super League (WSL) home matches at the club’s main stadium Stamford Bridge from the 2026-2027 season onwards.
The move, a decision made in consultation with players, partners and Chelsea’s fan advisory board, to the 41,312-capacity venue means the reigning WSL champions’ 2-1 FA Cup win against Tottenham Hotspur in April was their last game at Kingsmeadow. The 4,580-capacity stadium in south-west London has been their home for almost a decade.
The women’s first team will no longer use the ground but Chelsea Football Club Women Limited (CFCW) has no current intention to sell it. Instead Kingsmeadow will remain part of CFCW’s structure and stage more women’s academy games, alongside the men’s academy too.
Chelsea’s 2024-25 financial statements confirm Chelsea FC Holdings sold Kingsmeadow, having bought it from AFC Wimbledon in 2015, to CFCW for £12.1m ($16.3m).
While the internal sale of Chelsea Women generated an obvious and substantial paper profit which aided the men’s team’s domestic PSR calculation, Chelsea did note at the time their desire to give Chelsea Women equal footing.
The rationale for the sale of Kingsmeadow followed a similar theme: the women’s team played there, so it made sense to move the asset onto Chelsea Women’s books. Chelsea Women are now part-owned by a third party, Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Chaos Fund, making it all the more important to ensure assets are appropriately allocated.
CFCW and Chelsea FC Holdings have a services agreement in place for shared resources, which includes many aspects from the Chelsea brand to the use of Stamford Bridge. CFCW paid £10.5m ($14.2m) in respect of that agreement in 2024-25.
Q&A
Why is Chelsea Women moving to Stamford Bridge for WSL games?
Chelsea Women is moving to Stamford Bridge to enhance their matchday experience and accommodate more fans, as decided in consultation with players and the fan advisory board.
What will happen to Kingsmeadow after Chelsea Women moves?
Kingsmeadow will remain part of Chelsea Football Club Women Limited's structure and will host more women's academy games, alongside men's academy matches.
When will Chelsea Women start playing at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea Women will begin playing all their Women's Super League matches at Stamford Bridge from the 2026-27 season.
What is the capacity of Stamford Bridge compared to Kingsmeadow?
Stamford Bridge has a capacity of 41,312, significantly larger than Kingsmeadow's capacity of 4,580.
