For the first time in years, a brand-new club will lift the Women's League Cup next spring — because the tournament is getting a complete makeover. Starting with the 2026-27 season, England's top women's football competition will be renamed the Players Cup and will feature a regional league format that aims to give more players meaningful time on the pitch.
The change comes after clubs in the Women's Super League (WSL) and WSL 2 voted last November to revamp the competition. One major reason: scheduling has been a nightmare, with some teams playing more than ten extra matches last season compared to clubs not in European competition. Players and coaches have long warned that crowded calendars are hurting athlete wellbeing.
"We wanted meaningful playing minutes for young and fringe players and to address disparity on playing opportunities across the leagues, without compromising our player welfare principles," said Zarah Al-Kudcy, the WSL's chief revenue officer.
Under the new structure, 23 teams from England's top two divisions will be split into Northern and Southern regions. Each club will play three home games and three away games against regional rivals, all on nights when the Women's Champions League is being played. Matches that end in a draw will go to a penalty shootout — the winner takes two points, the loser earns one. The top eight teams then advance to quarter-finals in January, with the final scheduled for the weekend of March 13 and 14, 2027.
Notably, this season's edition will be missing some familiar faces. Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal — the only three clubs to have ever won the League Cup — will sit out because they have qualified for the Women's Champions League. That means whoever lifts the trophy next March will be a first-time champion.
The restructuring mirrors something seen in the Men's Champions League: a Swiss-style format designed to create fairer competition. Rather than parachuting top teams into the quarter-finals, every club now gets a shot at glory from the start. It also gives younger players and squad members — not just star starters — a chance to shine in a competitive environment.
The 11 teams in the Northern section include Manchester United, Liverpool, and Everton alongside rising clubs like Sunderland and Durham. The 12-team Southern section features Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and newcomers like London City Lionesses. Fixtures are expected to be announced on Thursday, August 6.
The Players Cup is a direct result of consultation between clubs, players, and fans — and proof that when people speak up, the game can change for the better.