The countdown to the new Women's Super League season is well and truly on now, after the FA today released the fixture list for the 2015 season.
Wednesday 25th March sees newly promoted Sunderland travel to reigning champions Liverpool in the opening match of WSL1. The Reds, who retained the trophy on the final day of the season last year, will be looking for a third title as the Lady Black Cats aim to consolidate a place in the top flight. The following week will see the other eight teams start their seasons, with Arsenal Ladies and Bristol Academy not playing until 2nd April due to the Vixens UEFA Champions League matches against FFC Frankfurt.
FA WSL2 returns to action a week before, with recently relegated Everton Ladies beginning their season in the second tier of women's football away to Aston Villa on 18th March. Last years narrow runners-up, Doncaster Rovers Belles, will play at home against Durham the next day. Expansion to WSL1 planned for 2016 means that two teams will be promoted to the top league, with only one club coming down at the end of the season in October.
Both leagues will take a mid-season break during the Women's World Cup which starts in Canada in June. In WSL1 there are no scheduled matches between 10th May and 12th July. Whereas WSL2 will have a shorter break, with no games to be played between 31st May and 11th July.
WSL2 teams will return to action on the first Sunday of February as they play their third round FA Cup ties. FA WSL1 sides will be added in the fourth round draw, with matches to be played before the start of the main league season. The WSL Continental Cup will start after the mid-season break, with groups and fixtures to be announced at a later date.
FA WSL 1 Opening Fixtures:
25 March - Liverpool Ladies v Sunderland AFC Ladies
29 March - Birmingham City Ladies v Manchester City Women
29 March - Notts County Ladies FC v Chelsea Ladies FC
1 April - Liverpool Ladies v Birmingham City Ladies
1 April - Sunderland AFC Ladies v Manchester City Women
2 April - Bristol Academy Women v Chelsea Ladies FC
2 April - Notts County Ladies FC v Arsenal Ladies FC
25 March - Liverpool Ladies v Sunderland AFC Ladies
29 March - Birmingham City Ladies v Manchester City Women
29 March - Notts County Ladies FC v Chelsea Ladies FC
1 April - Liverpool Ladies v Birmingham City Ladies
1 April - Sunderland AFC Ladies v Manchester City Women
2 April - Bristol Academy Women v Chelsea Ladies FC
2 April - Notts County Ladies FC v Arsenal Ladies FC
FA WSL 2 Opening Fixtures:
18 March - Aston Villa Ladies FC v Everton Ladies FC
18 March - Millwall Lionesses v London Bees
19 March - Doncaster Rovers Belles v Durham Women FC
19 March - Oxford United Women v Watford Ladies FC
19 March - Yeovil Town Ladies FC v Reading FC Women
18 March - Aston Villa Ladies FC v Everton Ladies FC
18 March - Millwall Lionesses v London Bees
19 March - Doncaster Rovers Belles v Durham Women FC
19 March - Oxford United Women v Watford Ladies FC
19 March - Yeovil Town Ladies FC v Reading FC Women