Alcohol trial to be expanded across women’s football matches next season

Seven WSL clubs join trial allowing alcohol in standsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The WSL and WSL2 2025-26 seasons begin in SeptemberSeven Women’s Super League clubs have joined a trial that will allow supporters to drink alcohol in the stands during the 2025-26 season.Last season’s top four – champions Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United – are among the clubs who will take part.It follows an initial trial last term at four clubs in the second tier – rebranded as WSL2 this season – that offered fans the opportunity to consume alcohol while watching the match. League operator WSL Football said the trial was a success, with 66% of the 51,000 spectators that took part supporting the idea.Holly Murdoch, the chief operating officer for WSL Football, said the expansion was “part of our strategy to offer a best-in-class experience”. WSL Football said there were no reported safety incidents from last season’s trial and that match officials noted ‘no change to fan behaviour’ during the trial. While consumption of alcohol within view of the pitch is allowed in the women’s professional game, it is banned in men’s professional football in the UK. “We support that process and there’s no reason such research couldn’t be extended across the men’s game too,” Football Supporters’ Association chair Tom Greatrex said. “Of course not every supporter wants a pint in the stands – but we don’t believe those who do should be criminalised either.”Teams participating in the expanded trialWSL teams: Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, London City Lionesses, Manchester City, Manchester UnitedWSL2 teams: Birmingham City, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Sunderland, SouthamptonMore on this story