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

This week was a week of ups and downs. Two teams celebrated promotion to the WSL, Leicester face a relegation play-off, Arsenal headed out of the Champions League, and some big names announced their retirements. Plus: Brighton revealed stadium plans, and Crocs x Umbro is the collab you didn't know you needed.

– Jo, founder of Twentytwo

Manchester City are one win from the title (their first since 2016) after Knaak's stoppage-time header beat Liverpool in a game that was far closer than City would have liked. Yamashita made some important saves to keep them in it. Now all they need to do is win at West Ham.

Chelsea are through to next season's Champions League after beating Leicester, with Sam Kerr breaking Fran Kirby's record to become their all-time WSL top scorer (64 goals in 92 games) and Lauren James producing two of the goals of the weekend. United drew with Brighton and are now sweating on their Champions League place with one game left. Midweek, Arsenal put seven past Leicester, their biggest win under Slegers, and sit eight points behind City with two games in hand. Too little, too late. Almost certainly.

Birmingham and Crystal Palace are up, after Charlton's final-day defeat to Birmingham handed both clubs automatic promotion. Charlton had been top of the table going into the weekend — now, instead of celebrating promotion, they face a single play-off match against WSL bottom side Leicester for the final top-flight spot. Win and they're in the WSL. Lose and they stay in the second tier while Leicester (despite finishing bottom of the top flight) live to fight another season.

The Play-off: The Valley, 23 May, 12:30pm. Live on Sky Sports.

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: The alt. angle of Holdt’s stunner.

Arsenal's Champions League defence is over, beaten 3-1 by a Lyon side who were simply better on the night — more intense, more clinical, and far more dangerous in front of goal. Russo pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but Brand's late goal sealed it.

Barcelona were ruthless against Bayern at Camp Nou, winning 4-2 to reach the final 5-3 on aggregate. It never really felt like Bayern would pull off the unexpected, although they didn’t give up.

The final: Lyon vs Barcelona · Oslo · Saturday 23 May

🇦🇫 FIFA has voted to allow the Afghanistan women's team to compete in official international football — closing the loophole that let the Taliban-controlled federation block players from representing their country. The team, who have been training in exile since 2021, can now enter qualifying for the 2028 Olympics. A training camp is confirmed for June in New Zealand. Read more

🏟️ Brighton have confirmed plans for the first purpose-built women's football stadium in the UK and Europe — a 10,000-capacity ground next to the Amex, costing around £75-80m, with plans to open by the 2030/31 season. Only the third of its kind in the world. Read more

📅 The NWSL has confirmed it will stick with its spring-to-fall calendar through 2030, shelving the proposed switch to a European-style winter schedule after significant opposition from players. The Players Association said any change must prioritise player welfare and facility standards first. Read more

🌳 Nottingham Forest have been awarded a professional game academy licence for next season — a small but meaningful step, and a sign of the game growing beyond the traditional powerhouses. Read more

🔴 Millie Bright has retired from football with immediate effect, ending a 12-year Chelsea career that brought 20 trophies, 314 appearances, and a European Championship with England. She had already stepped back from international football in October 2025 — now she's stepping away from the game entirely, with Chelsea honouring her at their final home game of the season on 16 May. Read more

It's been a week of goodbyes.

Crocs x Umbro
A collab we didn't see coming, and the fact we're into it is maybe even more surprising. The Crafted Clog caught our eye: quilted Drill Top-inspired upper, archival Umbro tongue, Double Diamond in exactly the right place. The Classic Clog riffs on the Speciali boot with a detachable lace cover if that's more your thing. Available 8 May. Crafted Clog · Classic Clog

Nike x Patta Mercurial Vapor 16
One of our favourite collabs of the season — Patta's signature wave design, straight from their iconic Air Max series, lands on Nike's fastest boot. Two colourways: a mismatched black and white, and a chrome aqua that catches the light at every angle. Lauren James has already been spotted in them, which is essentially all the endorsement they need. Available 5 May, 12:30pm via Nike. Shop here

Women's Football Fair 3 
Sunday 17 May · 11am–4pm · Big Penny Social, London
Kit stalls, community vibes, women's football people. One for the diary.
Tickets

World Sevens
28-30 May 2026 at Brentford FC's Gtech Community Stadium
Eight of England’s best women’s clubs in a small-sided 7v7 format
Tickets

Adobe Women's FA Cup Final 
Sunday 31 May · 3pm · Wembley Stadium, HA9 0WS
Tickets

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

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

WSL
Monday 4 May
Aston Villa vs West Ham United · 1pm · Sky Sports / WSL YouTube

Wednesday 6 May
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal · 7:45pm · BBC Three / Sky Sports

Saturday 9 May
Aston Villa vs Arsenal · 12pm · Sky Sports

FA Cup Semi-Finals
Sunday 10 May
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion · 12:15pm · TNT Sports 1 / HBO Max / Channel 4
Chelsea vs Manchester City · 3:30pm · TNT Sports / HBO Max

👋 Not a subscriber? → Join for free

👀 Follow us on Instagram

✍️ Take our subscriber survey

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