Overview

• Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton and London City Lionesses have signed up for alcohol sales in stands during WSL fixtures.
• Seven second-tier clubs including Birmingham City, Bristol City and Newcastle United will offer alcohol in WSL2 matches next season.
• The programme leverages a loophole in the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, which bans pitch-view alcohol sales only in men’s football.
• A 19-match WSL2 proof-of-concept reported no safety incidents, with 84% of surveyed fans rating their sense of safety at nine or 10.
• Final participation by Chelsea, London City Lionesses and Newcastle United awaits approval from local safety advisory groups.