The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.

This week got emotional. Trophies were lifted, farewells said, eras ended. Plus new kits are dropping, transfer rumours brewing, and Lauren Hemp was let loose with a camera.

– Jo, founder of Twentytwo

Man City finally lifted the WSL trophy on Saturday after thrashing West Ham 4-1 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, their first title in ten years. Bunny Shaw grabbed a brace to seal her third successive Golden Boot with 21 goals, celebrating each one like a farewell, she's out of contract this summer and Chelsea are hot favourites for her signature. Laura Coombs scored a deflected strike in the 80th minute that proved to be her final goal before retiring — an unlikely, but perfect way to round off a 19-year career. The celebrations went long into the afternoon and spilled into a local pub, where Casparji was later spotted on the kids' playground, trophy in hand.

Elsewhere, the goodbyes continued. Sam Kerr played her last match for Chelsea, volleying home her 116th goal to equal Fran Kirby's all-time club record in a 1-0 win over United. Millie Bright received a guard of honour after twelve years at Stamford Bridge, with Emma Hayes flying back from the States to see off her former captain.

The WSL might be over for another year, but there's still domestic drama to come. Man City meet Brighton in the FA Cup final on 31 May, and they'll be hungry for the double.

🎉 Man City opened their new £10m training facility on Monday — the club claims it's the most advanced women's football facility in the country, and has been designed specifically for the needs of the women’s team. Read more

🏟️ Arsenal will play all 13 WSL home games at the Emirates next season, for the second time. The club averaged 34,677 fans per game in 2025/26 and has 17,000 women's season ticket holders. Read more

🎖️ Former England striker Kerry Davis received an MBE at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. Davis was England's first Black women's international, winning 90 caps and scoring 43 goals between 1982 and 1995. Read more

🏆 England will face Brazil, Canada and Tanzania in Group B at the U-20 World Cup this September in Poland. The tournament runs 5–27 September across four host cities. Defending champions Korea DPR are in Group E. Read more

🗽 Gotham FC are in advanced talks to move to NYCFC's new $780m Etihad Park stadium in Queens for the 2028 NWSL season. The move would bring the back-to-back NWSL champions into New York City for the first time. Read more

Chelsea are leading the long-reads…

→ How do Chelsea rebuild for next season's WSL? – via The BBC

→ Inside the season Chelsea’s WSL dominance ended: Divisions, losing their ‘fear factor’ and what’s next – The Athletic via Yahoo

Manchester City just won their first WSL title in a decade. Their star striker (21 goals, three consecutive Golden Boots, 81 WSL goals in 91 games) could be leaving for nothing this summer.

What's happening:
Shaw's contract expires in June and contract talks have broken down. Chelsea have made an offer reportedly worth around £1 million that meets her wage demands. During the FA Cup semi-final (where Shaw scored twice to knock Chelsea out 3-2) Chelsea fans spent the match chanting "We'll see you next year" at her. She called it a "mad week" afterwards but wouldn't be drawn on her future. The FA Cup final on 31 May could be her last game in a City shirt.

Why Chelsea want her:
Sam Kerr is leaving. Mayra Ramirez's future is uncertain. Chelsea need a proven goalscorer after a disappointing season: League Cup winners, yes, but out of the Champions League and third in the WSL. Shaw would be an immediate fix and a statement signing.

The reaction:
Ellen White, Shaw's former City teammate, called the situation "absolutely incredible" on TNT Sports: "She's the best striker in the WSL. She deserves to be given the world really in the sense of the goal contributions that she's given for Man City over the last five seasons."

Fara Williams was blunter: "It's a crazy decision, the fact that Bunny Shaw has been able to run a contract down. There's no one like Bunny Shaw that gets you or guarantees you that amount of goals. When you lose one of your best players, I'm not sure what kind of ambition it shows."

What it means:
City are about to enter the Champions League for the first time. Letting Shaw walk to a direct rival — for free — is the kind of decision that could define their next few years. Whether they're confident they can replace her or they've simply been outbid, it's a gamble.

Arsenal: has confirmed Katie McCabe will leave this summer, but the delayed announcement has left fans frustrated they couldn't say a proper goodbye alongside Beth Mead, whose nine-year Arsenal career was celebrated at the Emirates. Meanwhile, Georgia Stanway is widely reported to be "very close" to signing from Bayern Munich, though nothing is confirmed.

Chelsea: Sam Kerr finally announced the end of her Chelsea career last week and joined Millie Bright in a big send-off at the weekend. Bright said goodbye after 12 years. Aggie Beever-Jones was rumoured to be signing a new deal, though Man United were said to be interested in the young striker.

Tottenham Hotspur: Emmi Ahtinen has signed a new long-term deal.

Nottingham Forest: Forest Women have parted company with head coach Carly Davies after one season in charge.

London City Lionesses: Mary Earps could be heading back to the WSL. The ex-England keeper is in "fairly advanced" talks to join from PSG when her contract expires this summer. 

Japan: Michihisa Kano has been confirmed as permanent head coach of the Nadeshiko. Nils Nielsen's contract wasn't renewed despite leading Japan to the Asian Cup in March — the Japan FA said his coaching was "too lax" and needed "a more rigorous approach."

NWSL: Mallory Swanson returned to the Chicago Red Stars active roster this week after maternity leave. The USWNT forward, who gave birth to daughter Josie in November, made her comeback on Saturday against North Carolina — her first appearance in 559 days.

Rumour has it…

New kits are starting to drop, and the first two out of the gate are going to be up there with the best. Nothing groundbreaking, but Adidas have done a good job of putting a fresh twist on two of the most famous red shirts in the game.

Arsenal 2026/27 — it's the detailing that carries this one. The collar and cuffs nod to the Emirates roofline, while the subtle texture in the body of the shirt gives it a bit of depth and sophistication. The shirt comes in standard and cropped fits. → Authentic shirt
→ Crop shirt

Man United 2026/27 — brings back the collar (love that), and throws back to its 1970s designs. We're big fans of the long sleeve cut.
Available now

WSL Awards – Monday 18 May
You can vote for Goal of the Season until 4pm today.

The Counter Pressies 2026
Thursday 28 May · 18:30-22:30 · Spotify HQ, London
Football's silliest night is back. The Counter Pressed podcast's end-of-season awards return to celebrate the best, worst, and most ridiculous moments from the WSL and beyond. Green carpet arrivals from 6:30pm, awards kick off at 8pm, then DJs from Counter Pressed and Baller FC until 10:30pm. Free entry, free drinks, free nibbles. Dress code: football and WAG-inspired, or just turn up as you are. Get your free ticket.

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Saturday 23 May Champions League final:
Barcelona vs OL Lyonnes · 17:00 (18:00 CET) · DAZN
The fourth final between these two sides. Lyon have eight titles to Barcelona's three, but Barça beat them in the 2024 decider. Ada Hegerberg chasing her seventh winners' medal in her home country.

Saturday 23 May WSL relegation playoff:
Charlton vs Leicester · 12:30 · Sky Sports
One-off match for the final WSL spot next season. Leicester finished bottom with just 9 points. Charlton finished third in WSL 2. Winner stays up, loser drops down.
Tickets

Sunday 31 May FA Cup final:
Man City vs Brighton · 15:00 · BBC One & ITV
City chasing the double. Brighton chasing their first-ever FA Cup. Shaw's potential farewell.
Tickets

👋 Not a subscriber? → Join for free

👀 Follow us on Instagram

✍️ Take our subscriber survey

📮 Tell us what you think of Twentytwo → [email protected]