Chelsea will play all their WSL home games from next season at Stamford Bridge, the club have announced.
It’s a move that follows in the footsteps of Arsenal, who made a similar move to the Emirates last summer. They still play domestic cup and Champions League stage matches at Meadow Park.
However, this season the Blues have played all of their European home games at the West London ground, while still playing the majority of their games at their Kingsmeadow home in Kingston, south-west London.
It was the first ground owned by a women’s team and has been Chelsea’s main home for almost a decade. They became the sole occupants in November 2020 when AFC Wimbledon – with whom they had been sharing – moved to Plow Lane.
The ground had been touted as a new home for Chelsea after Sonia Bompastor said in January that the club were looking at options away from Kingsmeadow.
It has now been revealed as a permanent move to Stamford Bridge, although it is unclear where domestic cup competitions will be played. It is likely that Champions League matches will still be played at the west London ground, while Kingsmeadow will continue to be used as a ground for girls’ academy matches.
The club say the move was made in comfort with Chelsea players, partners, the fans advisory board and groups, and will significantly increase capacity from just under 5,000 to 40,000.
A statement added: “Stamford Bridge will provide CFCW with a stage befitting the club’s achievements and ambitions, a place to compete and win.
“It’s more than a venue – it’s a statement of intent. With every Barclays WSL match to be played at Stamford Bridge, this move reflects the club’s unwavering belief in the long-term opportunities in women’s football as well as the club’s responsibility to help push the game forward.”
“By establishing a permanent home at Stamford Bridge, CFCW is investing not just in today, but in a legacy. Playing at Stamford Bridge will increase visibility, provide consistency for fans, unlock potential and inspire the next generation as the sport continues to grow.”
Chelsea have announced their move alongside the club’s new ‘Never Done’ identity (Image courtesy of Chelsea WFC)
An open letter from the Chelsea players also accompanied the announcement, which read: “This moment is not just for us. It is for every player to have worn the Chelsea crest. It is for every person who has pushed the women’s fight forward. It is for every supporter who has been with us on our incredible journey.
“This is a new chapter but our ambition remains the same. We want to win. We want to lift more trophies. We want to make further history. That’s what Chelsea have always done – and we will continue that legacy with our supporters beside us on the bridge.”
‘We want to be really ambitious off and on the pitch – it’s the right time for us to do it’
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Chelsea Women have announced that from the 2026/27 season the first team will play all Women’s Super League matches at Stamford Bridge
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the announcement, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said: “The women’s game is growing and we’ve got to make sure we’re keeping up and we’re starting that group as well. We’re going to be really ambitious, really cutting edge in terms of what we’re doing off and on the pitch. It’s the right time for us to do that.
“Although we are already achieving a lot as a club, we still have room for improvement and to be able to offer the best experience for the fans, but also for the players. They want to play in the biggest stadiums. The Bridge is a really historic stadium where we have already created a lot of memories.
“Even for the fans, we want to create a very special experience for them. So give them the opportunity to come to the bridge, bring more, even more fans to the game, to our game. We’re really excited to be a part of that journey and that experience.
“The players played a big, big role because obviously they are the most important people in this project. They are the ones on the field. They are all really excited about the announcement and the news.
“When you’re a player, you want to play in stadiums where you can bring the most fans possible. You want to live that experience of winning games in a great atmosphere. That’s what we want to create for the future. And again, it’s really exciting.”
A big, risky move for Chelsea
Chelsea currently play all their Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:
“The move to Stamford Bridge is a huge statement of intent from Chelsea in what is proving to be a transformative year.
“The Blues have struggled to maintain their stranglehold on the WSL but have already won a trophy with the League Cup. But their wait for a Champions League title continues.
“And it’s that competition that has seen Chelsea dip a semi-permanent toe into Stamford Bridge. They’ve made the ground as accessible as possible for women’s football fans, including their ‘Families at the Bridge’ initiative and Bottomless at the Bridge’ hospitality package.
“The decision is very much a matter of trying to keep up with Arsenal, who have built a unique fan culture, but the simple fact is that Chelsea do not attract the same numbers for the games they have played at Stamford Bridge.
“A big part of any football match is atmosphere and a key argument for WSL teams staying at smaller grounds is to sell them out and generate noisy home support.
“It’s something Chelsea have cultivated at Kingsmeadow, which has given them a massive advantage. How that will translate to Stamford Bridge remains to be seen.
“Fans will not sacrifice the atmosphere they have cultivated to keep up with the Jones style and Chelsea will not back down if things don’t seem to be working.
“It’s a big move, also understandable – but risky. A lot of work has to be done to make it work.”