Women’s League Cup: A Premier Competition in English Women’s Football

The Evolution of the Women’s League Cup

The Women’s League Cup, also known as the Subway Women’s League Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a league cup competition in English women’s association football. The 2024–25 Women’s League Cup was the 14th edition of the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship’s league cup competition. This prestigious tournament has become a cornerstone of English women’s football, providing clubs with an additional opportunity to compete for silverware and showcase their talent.

Recent Developments and Sponsorship Changes

The 2024-25 season marked significant changes for the competition. It marked the first time since the competition’s inception in 2011 that the cup would not be played under the named sponsorship of Continental AG or under the branding of The Football Association following the completed takeover by Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). On 16 December 2024, the WPLL announced a partnership with Subway, with the competition officially known as the Subway Women’s League Cup for sponsorship reasons.

Competition Format and Participation

All 23 teams from the WSL and Championship took part in the competition. The competition kept the same format as the previous season, starting with a group stage split regionally. A unique feature of the tournament is that teams competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage are exempt from the League Cup group stage, earning a provisional bye to the quarter-finals. This arrangement ensures top clubs can manage their fixture congestion whilst maintaining participation in the domestic cup competition.

Recent Champions and Final Details

The competition has witnessed intense rivalry between England’s top women’s clubs. Stina Blackstenius’ 116th-minute winner saw Arsenal win the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup for the second season running with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in March 2024 at Molineux. Chelsea are the defending champions for the 2025-26 season, having won the competition more recently. Arsenal being the most successful club with seven titles.

Significance for English Women’s Football

The Women’s League Cup serves as an important development pathway and competitive platform for clubs across England’s top two divisions. Last season a record 21,462 fans witnessed Arsenal defeat Chelsea in extra time at Molineux Stadium, demonstrating the growing popularity of women’s football. The tournament provides vital match experience, revenue opportunities, and a pathway to silverware for clubs competing in both the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship. With continued investment and sponsorship from major brands like Subway, the competition’s future looks bright as it continues to elevate the profile of women’s football in England.