May 14 – The Emirates Stadium is set to become the main home for Arsenal Women’s team from the start of the 2024/25 season.
The decision marks a huge leap for Women’s football as it continues to flourish in north London.
The north London venue is set to host eight WSL matches and three group games in the Women’s Champions League, should Arsenal advance to that stage.
In the event of Arsenal progressing to the knockout rounds of the European competition, those matches will also take place at the Emirates, the club said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the team’s remaining matches, including domestic cup fixtures, will continue to be held at Meadow Park, where they have played the majority of their matches since the WSL was founded in 2011.
Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “There’s great passion for our women’s team right across our club.
“We are one club, with a vision to win major trophies across our men’s and women’s teams.
“This move supports this ambition and we can’t wait to continue this amazing journey with our supporters.”
The Gunners scored an average attendance of 52,029, which included two sell-outs and three WSL attendance records, across six women’s matches at the 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium this season.
Vinai Venkatesham, chief executive officer, continued: “For almost four decades, we’ve been at the forefront of the women’s game.
“We’ve recently seen extraordinary growth in supporters coming to Emirates Stadium for games held here, which include two complete sell-outs this season.
“The next step in our journey is to make Emirates Stadium our main home for Arsenal Women. We’re looking forward to giving more supporters the chance to watch our women’s team play.
“This is part of a collective drive across the club to take the women’s game forward and support sustainable growth of the game so it can thrive in the long term.”
Arsenal will host Brighton at Meadow Park for the last WSL fixture of the season on Saturday. At present, the team is in third place but could jump up to second if Chelsea slip up.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1722042787labto1722042787ofdlr1722042787owedi1722042787sni@g1722042787niwe.1722042787yrrah1722042787