The 2025/2026 Subway Women’s League Cup kicks off later on today, marking the 15th edition of England’s domestic league cup competition. Sponsored by Subway since 2024, the tournament brings together all 24 teams from the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship in a battle for silverware. Chelsea come into the season as defending champions, looking to continue their dominance in the cup.
The Format
This year’s competition sticks to the familiar format. The opening stage is divided into regional groups giving clubs a mix of local rivalries and new tests. Champions League clubs get a bye Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United skip the group phase thanks to their Champions League campaigns, joining the competition later at the quarter-final stage. Group winners only advance: With five groups in total, only the top team in each group progresses to the knockouts, making every game a must-win. That setup guarantees drama there’s no room to coast through the group stage.
Group Stage Storylines
Here’s how the groups look this season:
- Group A: Everton, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest.
- A mix of top-tier pedigree and fresh challengers. Can newcomers like Forest and Newcastle spring a surprise?
- Group B: Liverpool, Sunderland, Durham, Sheffield United.
- A real Northern battle featuring old rivalries. Liverpool will be seen as favourites, but Sunderland and Durham thrive in these kinds of fixtures.
- Group C: Brighton, Charlton, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Ham.
- The most packed group of the lot. With five teams, consistency will be everything. Expect fireworks in the South Coast derbies.
- Group D: Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, London City Lionesses.
- A balanced group with Championship contenders and a Leicester side looking to re-establish themselves.
- Group E: Aston Villa, Tottenham, Bristol City, Birmingham City.
- Villa and Spurs headline here, but don’t count out Championship underdogs hungry for an upset.
The group matches kick off today 24 September 2025 and run through November.
Knockout Phase
The winners of each group will join Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United in the quarter-finals, scheduled for 20 to 21 December 2025.
- Semi-finals: 21 to 22 January 2026
- Final: 15 March 2026
While often seen as the second cup behind the FA Cup, the Subway Women’s League Cup offers Silverware opportunities for teams outside the traditional top four, a stage for Championship clubs to test themselves against WSL sides, Chances for rotation where fans see young stars and fringe players get meaningful minutes. For Chelsea, it’s about defending their crown. For Arsenal, it’s a chance to add to their record six titles. And for everyone else, it’s about proving they belong on the big stage. The Subway Women’s League Cup may not grab headlines like the Champions League or FA Cup, but it consistently delivers drama, storylines, and giant-killing moments. With the group stage about to kick off, expect surprises, rivalries, and a few breakout stars before March’s final decides it all.
