Women’s game for supporters: fixture and access gaps

Supporters’ main frustration is around fixture scheduling.

In the 2025-26 campaign, the WSL shifted away from the Sunday 6:45pm slot, introducing more midday kick-offs, but this move also failed to win over fans.

“An away trip becomes a real ordeal,” says Arsenal supporter Major. “You have people setting off at three in the morning, or they go the night before and end up paying for accommodation.”

The new timing also clashes with grassroots matches, which are widely staged on Sunday mornings. This acts as a hurdle that stops younger fans from going to live games.

Frequent stoppages across the season are another concern. Former England defender Anita Asante noted earlier this year that lengthy gaps between league rounds disrupt supporters’ sense of connection and momentum.

Accessibility is a further sore point among the fanbase.

While top-tier venues such as the Emirates and Everton’s Goodison Park are well set up, smaller grounds tend to be far less accommodating.

Wheelchair user Jones felt let down by the absence of clear Blue Badge parking details when she tried to attend London City’s away clash at Tottenham Hotspur.

“A lot of the problems I come up against are to do with poor communication,” she says. “Every club lists an accessibility section online, but in Tottenham’s case it only covers their main stadium, not Brisbane Road where the women’s side plays.”

Jones explained that she had to chase the details by email herself, only to be told Blue Badge spaces were already fully booked. She eventually spoke to the club’s disability coordinator and found out the ground does not offer Blue Badge parking at all because it’s situated in a residential zone.

Making matters worse, the accessible wheelchair area was positioned at the opposite end of the ground from the away block, leaving Jones feeling cut off.

Tottenham Hotspur said venue information is available through the ‘Ask Spurs’ chatbot on the club website, and after conducting an internal review they are introducing improvements.

Specific Brisbane Road guidance has since been placed in the event-day accessible parking section of ‘Ask Spurs’, while a dedicated matchday guide is being prepared.

A club spokesperson confirmed: “We’re putting together a full Brisbane Road matchday guide for the website ahead of next season, so it provides information on a par with what we offer for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”