SPFL to run Scottish Women's Premier League in overhaul that can boost game

The Scottish Women's Premier League has announced clubs will form a new league and cup competition which will see elite women’s football become the responsibility of the SPFL from next season.

A majority of the 17 Scottish Women’s Premier League [SWPL] clubs have now confirmed that they are supportive of the plans and, from this summer, clubs including Lanarkshire sides Motherwell and Hamilton Accies will be invited to become members of a new two-tier league competition, with the SPFL also running a new League Cup at the dawn of a new era for the women’s game in Scotland.

Glasgow City have dominated the SWPL for over a decade, winning 14 league titles in a row, but this season investment in both Rangers and Celtic women's teams has seen them challenge for the crown. Rangers currently lead the way this term with City second and Celtic third.

Many games in the SWPL are currently played in Lanarkshire with Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium, East Kilbride's K-Park and Broadwood in Cumbernauld hosting games for the leading three sides in the top flight. Hamilton play at New Douglas Park and Motherwell use Alliance Park.

The announcement comes after months of talks between clubs, the Scottish FA, SPFL and Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) about how to best to build upon the progress that the Scottish women’s game has made in recent years.

And it is hoped this move will help boost the both the profile of the women's game and its finances.

Women’s football has grown exponentially in recent years, with UEFA on course to double the number of women and girls participating across Europe by 2024, whilst significantly increasing sponsorship revenue, television viewing figures and club competition prize money at the elite end.

Scottish FA