Emma Hayes outlines next steps for WSL to 'challenge status quo' after World Cup
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has called on Women's Super League clubs to 'challenge the status quo' and stage more games at Premier League stadiums.
Following another ground-breaking major tournament in the women's game, in which England narrowly missed out on a World Cup title to Spain, the interest has never been greater. Almost two millions fans attended games across Australia and New Zealand as the competition expanded to 32 teams for the first time.
The knock-on effect of the Euros win last summer was seen in the increased WSL attendances and clubs are already outlining plans to play more games at the bigger stadiums. Four of the six games on the opening weekend at the beginning of October will be played in the club's stadiums.
Liverpool have also announced they will stage the Merseyside derby in October at Anfield, while Arsenal confirmed in May plans to play five league matches at the Emirates, as well as their Champions League fixtures. However, Hayes has outlined the need for equal opportunity and insists the WSL should be leading the way.
"We have seen again here at this World Cup in Australia and New Zealand that a global audience is willing to pay to watch women’s football, to attend the games and invest in this sport," she wrote in her column for The Telegraph. "It is now time for us to build on the success of this tournament and position our teams to succeed commercially, not just competitively. That means equal access to club stadiums for women’s sides.
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"This is not a debate about equal pay, it is about equal opportunities. And the next step for the women’s game is for clubs to have equality of access to facilities. They are not ‘men’s’ stadiums, they are ‘club’ stadiums – we women have as much right to play in those stadiums as the men do. And the potential benefits are vast, for everybody.
"The television money and everything associated with this World Cup seems to be at record levels and I think the WSL, as leaders, globally, for a domestic league, should set an altogether new standard.
Spain played England in front of a packed out crows for the World Cup final down under (Photo credit should read Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images)"It is critical that we challenge the status quo. Why have we been prevented from playing football in the same stadia that our men’s teams have? And if that stops, I am certain that you will see an unprecedented level of investment for commercial sponsorship for clubs this year. We will enter a new era of women’s teams becoming sustainable, especially at the top, top level with the top, top clubs."
Hayes will kick-off the 2023/24 season with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge when they take on London rivals Tottenham in a bid to retain the WSL trophy for a fifth consecutive year. However, they will not be returning to SW6 until November 19 when they host Liverpool, with the games before then to take place at Kingsmeadow.
In total, Chelsea are set to play seven games next season at Stamford Bridge including four league matches and a minimum of three Champions League matches. Yet, other WSL clubs such as Leicester and Bristol City, as well as Championship side Birmingham, have already made their club stadia their home.
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