WSL FIXTURES 2024-25: Vivianne Miedema set for immediate return to Arsenal with new club Man City on opening weekend – as Chelsea begin life without Emma Hayes at home to Aston Villa

Vivianne Miedema will return straight to her old club Arsenal as the Gunners host her new club Manchester City in the opening match of the Women’s Super League season.

Miedema, the WSL’s all-time leading scorer, left Arsenal when her contract expired last summer and moved to WSL rivals City earlier this month.

The match takes place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 22 September, kick-off is at 12.30pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Reigning champions Chelsea will begin life without Emma Hayes with a home game against Aston Villa. The date for that match is still ‘tbc’, but it will be broadcast live on the BBC.

It will be a battle between two new managers, with Sonia Bompastor taking on Robert de Pauw of Villa.

Miedema is the WSL’s all-time top scorer but left Arsenal at the end of last season

Elsewhere, Manchester United host West Ham, recently promoted Crystal Palace travel to London rivals Tottenham, while Liverpool take on Leicester at their new home of St Helens. Brighton also host Everton.

The first match between Arsenal and Chelsea will take place on October 12-13, depending on broadcasts. The first Manchester derby will not take place until January.

On the final weekend of the season, Arsenal play United, Chelsea take on Liverpool and Palace travel to City.

United have endured a tough run, with their last three games of the season against Chelsea, City and Arsenal.

In the new season, all WSL matches not covered by Sky Sports/BBC and selected Championship matches will be streamed live on YouTube on each division’s respective channel. Previously, matches were shown on the FA Player app, which will continue to show FA Cup content.

Nikki Doucet, CEO of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, said: ‘Fixes announcement day is always an exciting time in our calendar, and this year is no exception.

‘We have so many incredibly competitive games in both competitions, which will undoubtedly excite both fans and players.

Meanwhile, Chelsea begin life without Emma Hayes when they play Aston Villa at home

‘It’s also a milestone for us with our move to YouTube as our streaming service. The FA Player has been a hugely important part of the growth of women’s football in recent years, and the free-to-air reach it has given our teams has been crucial to our development.

‘Combined with the high-quality coverage from our broadcast partners Sky Sports and the BBC, watching the women’s professional game here in the UK has never been easier.

‘As we continue our journey to the NewCo, YouTube will give even more current and future supporters the opportunity to enjoy our great competitions at the touch of a button.’