Barclays FA Women’s Super League: How to follow on Sky Sports

Manchester United take on Reading in season-opener on Friday, live on Sky Sports; Arsenal host champions Chelsea on Sunday, also live on Sky Sports

WSL on Sky Sports
Image: Follow the Women's Super League on Sky Sports

The Barclays FA Women's Super League has a new home this season on Sky Sports with up to 35 games shown exclusively live. The deal covers the next three seasons and has seen the WSL added to Sky Sports' flagship offerings.

This Friday, September 3 will see the Barclays FA Women's Super League air on Sky Sports for the first time with coverage starting from 7pm for a 7.45pm kick-off between Manchester United and Reading F.C on Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401) and Sky Sports Premier League (channel 402).

The current Sky Sports Barclays FA WSL presenter line-up is led by presenter Caroline Barker and includes expert pundit Karen Carney and reporter Lynsey Hooper with commentators Jacqui Oatley and Seb Hutchinson. Jessica Creighton will also be the host of the brand new Inside the WSL show due to premier on September 9.

Karen Carney
Image: Karen Carney will be Sky Sports' lead pundit on the WSL

From world-class stars like Lucy Bronze and Vivianne Miedema, to the endless rivalry of the 'big three' - Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City - there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the 2021-22 season on Sky Sports.

Here's how to follow the WSL on Sky Sports...

WSL on Sky Sports
Image: The WSL has been added to Sky Sports' flagship offerings

Sky Sports - All 35 games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.

Live WSL

Live WSL

Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week Barclays FA WSL fans can enjoy Sky Sports News (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the league and its storylines throughout the season.

Inside the WSL - Hosted by award-winning broadcaster and journalist Jessica Creighton, Inside the WSL is a comprehensive round-up of all things Barclays FA Women's Super League and women's football. Airing weekly from Thursday, September 9 on Sky Sports Premier League, the half an hour show will review and preview matches, include in-depth analysis and exclusive player interviews. Viewers can expect gripping behind the scenes access as well as a summary of all the action both on and off the pitch.

Also See:

Inside The WSL

Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, a new bespoke Twitter channel @SkySportsWSL will be the home of all Barclays FA WSL content on Sky Sports.

Sky Showcase - All Sky customers will benefit from being able to watch the opening weekend fixtures on Sky Showcase (channel 106) without a Sky Sports subscription. This newly branded channel is designed to curate some of the top shows, films and sports from across Sky's channels and will highlight Sky Sports' coverage of Manchester United vs Reading on Friday, September 3 at 7pm, followed by Arsenal vs Chelsea on Sunday, September at 11.30am for the opening weekend.

Sky Sports digital - Follow all the latest from the WSL across SkySpots.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage and in-game clips from games live on Sky Sports. You can watch free match highlights from every WSL game this season on Sky Sports' digital platforms and YouTube channel.

To add all the Barclays FA WSL fixtures to your calendar click here.

To read more from Sky Sports on what to expect this season click here

To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here.

The history of the WSL

  • April 2011 - The inaugural WSL season begins with an eight-team league played through the summer.
  • Early 2014 – A second league, WSL 2, is added with one team relegated from the top tier, WSL 1.
  • December 2014 - WSL 1 expanded to 10 teams while teams from the third tier – the Women’s Premier League – could earn promotion to WSL 2.
  • July 2016 – WSL campaigns move back to a winter season in line with the traditional English football calendar.
  • February to May 2017 – The FA WSL Spring Series is played to bridge the gap between summer and winter seasons. Each team played each other once with Chelsea winning WSL 1 and Everton winning WSL 2.
  • 2017/18 season – WSL 1 reverts back to being called the Women’s Super League.
  • 2018/19 season – The WSL becomes a fully professional league and expanded to 11 teams. Each club has to reapply for their licence, meeting the compulsory requirements of a minimum 16-hour contract for players and to form a youth academy. Brighton and West Ham are added to the top tier. WSL 2 is renamed as the Women’s Championship.
  • 2019/20 season – The WSL is expanded again to 12 teams. Man Utd and Tottenham are promoted from the Championship, Yeovil Town are relegated. Due to Covid-19, the season is ended early and decided on points-per-game. Chelsea are crowned champions with Liverpool relegated.

WSL: Arsenal vs Chelsea opener live on Sky

Arsenal vs Chelsea
Image: Arsenal vs Chelsea in the WSL is live on Sky Sports on Sunday

Sky Sports has confirmed its first selection of Women's Super League games, with Arsenal to play Chelsea in a blockbuster encounter on Sunday, September 5.

Sky will show all 12 clubs across the first five rounds of action and kicks off with Manchester United vs Reading on Friday September 3 before champions Chelsea travel to The Emirates to play rivals Arsenal two days later.

As one of the most competitive leagues, with some of the most famous names and teams in the world, the WSL will be one of Sky Sports' flagship offerings.

MORE HERE

Confirmed WSL fixtures live on Sky Sports

WSL on Sky Sports
Image: Sky Sports will show up to 35 games exclusively live

Friday September 3 - Manchester United vs Reading, kick-off 7.45pm

Sunday September 5 - Arsenal vs Chelsea, kick-off 12.30pm

Saturday September 11 - West Ham vs Aston Villa, kick-off 11.30am

Sunday September 12 - Manchester City vs Tottenham, kick-off 6.45pm

Saturday September 25 - Everton vs Birmingham, kick-off 11.30am

Sunday September 26 - Arsenal vs Manchester City, kick-off 6.45pm

Saturday October 2 - Chelsea vs Brighton, kick-off 11.30am

Sunday October 3 - Birmingham vs Manchester United, kick-off 6.45pm

Sunday October 9 - Chelsea vs Leicester, kick-off 12.30pm

Sunday October 9 - Arsenal vs Everton, kick-off 3.00pm

WSL on Sky: Big names, derby days and inspiring girls

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From world-class stars like Lucy Bronze and Vivianne Miedema, to competitive derby days, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about The Barclays FA Women's Super League on Sky Sports this season...

Here, we look at why you should watch the WSL on Sky Sports...

Also on Sky Sports...

In addition to the 35 Barclays FA WSL matches, Sky will show 128 matches from the Premier League, with the top pick match every weekend. In the EFL, Sky Sports will show 138 matches all the way to the Playoffs as well as the best of the Carabao Cup. In Scotland, Sky Sports will show at least 48 matches from the Scottish Premiership.

Also, for the first time Sky Sports will show the best of German football. The Bundesliga will be live on Sky Sports for the next four seasons, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund pair Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham on show.

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