Emirates set to host further WSL action as Arsenal make North London their home

Arsenal have announced that all 11 of their Women’s Super League home matches will be staged at Emirates Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

Last season, the Gunners played nine of their 11 home fixtures at the 60,704-capacity stadium, securing an average attendance of 34,110. 

This was aided by every match, bar one exception of a rescheduled contest against Leicester, generating an attendance of more than 20,000 fans.

Additionally, an impressive five fixtures attracted more than 35,000 fans. This figure is higher than any other home attendance across all WSL clubs throughout the season.

Six-time consecutive WSL Champions, Chelsea came closest to the 35,000 mark with 34,302, in a match which was in fact against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United recorded 31,465 at Old Trafford when they hosted local rivals Manchester City in a crucial clash for Champions League places.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues trailed far behind the Red Devils and Southern sides, with their highest attendance of 22,497 materialising in the reverse derby fixture at the Etihad Stadium.

With such figures pointing toward Arsenal steadily growing their contingent, both domestically and world wide, the Gunners are lifting the women’s game to new levels of popularity. 

Emirates move a success or struggle?

With Arsenal playing their WSL matches, and Champions League knockout rounds at the Emirates, just their cup runs and Champions League league phase fixtures will be hosted at Borehamwood’s Meadow Park.

While the previous statistics indicate strong and sustainable Emirates crowds, there was a 4% decrease in attendances from the 2023/24 to 2024/25 campaign.

Additionally, Arsenal set the WSL record attendance against Manchester United in the former season, with the Gunners not firing as high in the latter.

Therefore, marketing strategies such as tiered, affordable ticket pricing and well-considered match dates will be more crucial than ever. 

Another factor will be the Lionesses success at Euro 2025 this summer, as the new-look England squad  head to Switzerland on Monday 30 June. 

With challenging opponents in France, the Netherlands and Wales looming for Sarina Wiegman’s side, solely advancing out of the group stage will be an impressive feat.

However, higher heights would need to be reached if WSL clubs are to experience an increase in fan engagement during the upcoming season. 

After the Lionesses' roaring success at Euro 2022, all top-flight sides’ attendances increased. Meanwhile, England’s silver medal at the 2023 World Cup saw the majority of attendances increase in the WSL.

For Arsenal, however, their own success can attract the masses. While domestic league titles have recently become unattainable, with Chelsea laying claim to the last six trophies, the Gunners reigned victorious in Lisbon.

A Champions League Final for serial winners Barcelona to forget, the final match of the season for Arsenal will buoy fans to the point of restlessness in the wake of the next campaign. 

With the summer transfer window opening on Wednesday 18 June, impressive January addition and Lioness, Chloe Kelly, is looking likely to commit to North London. Rumours are also circulating of Liverpool’s talented fullback, Taylor Hinds joining the Gunners. 

Therefore, fans should hopefully be spilling into the Emirates across all fixtures, as the Gunners gear up to secure silverware.

Fear factor turned trophy clincher 

With the Champions League title proving only Arsenal’s third trophy in six campaigns, the Gunners are a far cry away from their former domestic brilliance. 

The foundations of which are the league title, the trophy every WSL team competes for from September until May. 

Across Arsenal’s nine WSL matches at the Emirates, the club won seven, drew one and lost one. The side also scored an impressive 30 goals, while only conceding eight.

One particular performance which sticks out to me is the Gunners’ rout against the high flying Seagulls. Brighton were sat in third at the time, a position and point ahead of Arsenal.

Newly appointed manager, Renée Slegers had only been in charge for a month when Dario Vidošić’s side entered the capital for the highly anticipated clash.

But the match was over before half-time. 

Beth Mead opened the scoring in just the thirteenth minute, with Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum getting in on the act to make it 3-0 before the interval. 

While Arsenal’s scintillating play offered no let up for the Albion, the players were also far too passive, appearing overwhelmed by the occasion. 

A 22,467 strong crowd to contend with, accompanied by the level of opposition, and grandeur of the stadium itself may have all aided to the ease of Arsenal’s 5-0 victory.

While seven of the WSL clubs set to enter the Emirates next season already experienced such circumstances last season, West Ham and relegated Crystal Palace did not.

Therefore the Hammers, and Women’s Championship Winners London City Lionesses will make their first visits to the stadium next season.

Could the fear factor of the Emirates offer the Gunners a slight advantage as they look to hunt down the coveted WSL trophy?

Only time will tell…