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The Women’s Super League Football—the top league in England—and its second division will continue to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands after a strong initial trial run.
In a press release Thursday, the league announced it is expanding the trial to 14 teams across the WSL and WSL2 for the 2025–26 season after no safety incidents were reported in the first trial.
“Exploring giving supporters the choice to drink alcohol in the stands was something we were excited to trial and following such positive feedback from the proof-of-concept version, we’re looking forward to opening it up to more venues and equally, hearing from those at the heart of it—our clubs and supporters,” WSL COO Holly Murdoch said in the release.
Unlike men’s soccer in the United Kingdom, the women’s game is not covered by legislation that prohibits alcohol consumption within view of the pitch at matches the way it is for the English Premier League.
The first trial took place in four WSL2 clubs in the second half of the 2024–25 season and accounted for 19 matches between January and May and included more than 51,000 fans. Some of the clubs participating in the trial are Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Everton.
Following the initial run, a league evaluation found two-thirds of fans supported the trial being extended, with 48% strongly supporting it, according to the WSL’s release. Attendance was up at matches and many fans found it improved their matchday experience, with an overwhelming majority (84%) saying they felt safe at games.
Players and match officials found no change in fan behavior, and concession sales increased along with attendance.
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