‘Not just for us’ – Chelsea Women to play all WSL games at Stamford Bridge from next season

Chelsea Women have announced that Stamford Bridge will host all their Women’s Super League games from next season. They will become the fourth top-flight club to move their women’s team to their main stadium as they look to increase visibility and the supporter base.

The decision came after consultation with players, partners, the Chelsea fan advisory board and other Chelsea Women fan groups. The eight-time English champions will leave Kingsmeadow, their base for nearly a decade, for the 40,000-capacity stadium, bringing the team to the heart of west London.

“This moment is not just for us,” the players wrote in an open letter to fans. “It’s for every player to have worn the Chelsea badge. It’s for every person who has pushed the women’s game forward. It’s for every supporter who has been with us on our incredible journey.

“This is a new chapter, but our ambition remains the same. We want to win. We want to lift more trophies. We want to create further history. That is what Chelsea has always done – and we’re going to continue that legacy with our supporters beside us at the Bridge.”

The news comes alongside the launch of a Chelsea Women brand identity – “Never Done” – as they look to enhance culture, drive attendances and increase revenue. They will build on the foundations laid over the past few years, including fan activations such as “Bottomless at the Bridge”, a hospitality brunch option that has proved popular. They are also planning to establish “The Blueprint”, a fan focus group that will advise on culture, atmosphere and experiences inside Stamford Bridge

Four WSL games are being held at Stamford Bridge this season, and the club attracted 30,545 in January when they hosted Arsenal. Their attendance record at Stamford Bridge is 34,302. The stadium has been the venue for Chelsea’s home Champions League games since September.

“Our commitment to play all Women’s Super League matches at Stamford Bridge from next season reaffirms our ambition and intent to make CFCW the leading women’s sports club in the world,” the CEO, Aki Mandhar, said. “Playing the team’s WSL matches at such an iconic ground ensures our players and supporters have the arena they deserve as we look to propel the game into its next phase of growth.”

Kingsmeadow will continue to play a role in the women’s team, hosting more academy matches from the autumn.