WSL FIXTURES 2024-25: Vivianne Miedema set for immediate return to Arsenal with new club Man City on opening weekend – as Chelsea begin life without Emma Hayes at home to Aston Villa

Vivianne Miedema will make an instant return to former club Arsenal with the Gunners set to host her new club Manchester City in the opening game of the Women’s Super League season.

Miedema, who is the WSL’s all-time leading scorer, left Arsenal when her contract expired in the summer and joined WSL rivals City earlier this month.

The game will take place at the Emirates on Sunday, September 22, with a kick-off time of 12.30pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Reigning champions Chelsea begin life without Emma Hayes with a home game against Aston Villa. The date for that fixture is still ‘tbc’ but it will be shown live on the BBC.

It will be a battle between two new managers, with Sonia Bompastor coming up against Villa’s Robert de Pauw.

Vivianne Miedema will make an instant return to former club Arsenal with the Gunners set to host her new club Manchester City in the opening game of the Women’s Super League season

 Miedema is the WSL’s all-time leading scorer, but left Arsenal at the end of last season

Elsewhere, Manchester United will host West Ham, newly promoted Crystal Palace will travel to London rivals Tottenham while Liverpool take on Leicester at their new home of St Helens. Brighton will also host Everton.

The first clash between Arsenal and Chelsea will take place on either October 12-13, subject to broadcast selections, while the first Manchester derby does not take place until January.

The final weekend of the season sees Arsenal host United, Chelsea take on Liverpool and Palace travel to City.

United have been given a tricky run-in with their final three games of the season coming against Chelsea, City and Arsenal.

The new season will see every non-Sky Sports/ BBC broadcasted WSL games and selected Championship matches streamed live on YouTube on each division’s respective channel. Games had previously been shown on the FA Player app, which will continue to showcase FA Cup content.

Nikki Doucet – CEO of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship – said: ‘Fixture release day is always an exciting time in our calendar, and this year is no exception.

‘We have so many incredibly competitive fixtures across both our leagues, which will no doubt excite fans and players alike.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will begin life without Emma Hayes when they face Aston Villa at home

‘It is also a landmark moment for us with our transition to YouTube as our streaming service. The FA Player has been a hugely important part of the growth of women’s football in recent years, and the free-to-air reach it has afforded our teams has been crucial in our development.

‘Coupled with the high-quality coverage provided by our broadcast partners Sky Sports and the BBC, watching the women’s professional game here in the UK has never been easier.

‘As we continue our journey into the NewCo, YouTube will offer even more supporters, both current and future, the opportunity to enjoy our amazing leagues at a click of a button.’