In a significant development, Chelsea Women's Football Club has announced that they will be playing all their home games in the Women's Super League (WSL) at Stamford Bridge from the upcoming season. This move follows a similar decision by Arsenal, who shifted their home games to the Emirates Stadium last summer.
Chelsea has been playing their home European matches at Stamford Bridge this season, while their domestic games were held at Kingsmeadow in Kingston, southwest London. The decision to switch to Stamford Bridge was made after consultation with the players, partners, and fan advisory board, with the aim of increasing the capacity from nearly 5,000 to 40,000. The club believes that this move will provide a stage worthy of their achievements and ambitions, enabling them to compete and win.
Since moving to Kingsmeadow in 2017, Chelsea has achieved a remarkable win percentage of 86.3% in the WSL, with an average of 2.7 points per game. At Stamford Bridge, their win percentage stands at 91.7%, with an average of 2.8 points per game.
The club views this move as a statement of intent, reflecting their commitment to women's football and their responsibility to help push the game forward. By establishing a permanent home at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea is investing in the future, aiming to elevate visibility, provide consistency for fans, unlock potential, and inspire the next generation.
An open letter from the Chelsea players accompanied the announcement, expressing their excitement and ambition to win and create history. In an exclusive interview, Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor emphasized the importance of being ambitious and offering the best experience for fans and players. The move is seen as a significant statement, but also carries risks, as the club will need to work to create a similar atmosphere to the one they have cultivated at Kingsmeadow.