Chelsea Women announce they will play all WSL games from next season at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will play all of their WSL home games from next season at Stamford Bridge, the club have announced.

It is a move that follows in the footsteps of Arsenal, who made a similar move to the Emirates last summer. They still play domestic cup and Champions League league phase matches at Meadow Park.

However, this season, the Blues have played all of their home European matches at the West London ground, while still playing the majority of their games at their Kingsmeadow home in Kingston, south west London.

It was the first ground owned by a women's team and has been Chelsea's main home for almost a decade. They became the sole occupants in November 2020, when AFC Wimbledon - who they had ben groundsharing with - moved to Plough Lane.

The ground had been touted as a new home for Chelsea after Sonia Bompastor said in January that the club were looking at options away from Kingsmeadow.

That has now been revealed as a permeant move to Stamford Bridge, although it is unclear were domestic cup fixtures will be played. It is likely that Champions League matches will still be played at the west London ground, while Kingsmeadow will continue to be used as a ground for girls academy matches.

The club says the move was made in consolation with Chelsea players, partners, the fan advisory board and groups, and will significantly increase the capacity from just under 5,000 to 40,000.

A statement added: "Stamford Bridge will give CFCW a stage befitting the club's achievements and ambition, a place to compete and win.

"It is more than a venue - it is a statement of intent. With every Barclays WSL fixture set to be played at Stamford Bridge, this move reflects the club's unwavering belief in the long-term opportunity in women's football as well as the responsibility the club has to help push the game forward.

"By establishing a permanent home at Stamford Bridge, CFCW is investing not just in today, but in a legacy. Playing at Stamford Bridge will elevate visibility, provide consistency for fans, unlock potential, and inspire the next generation as the sport continues to grow."

An open letter from the Chelsea players also accompanied the announcement, reading: "This moment is not just for us. It's for every player to have worn the Chelsea badge. It's for every person who has pushed the women's game forward. It's for every supporter who has been with us on our incredible journey.

"This is a new chapter, but our ambition remains the same. We want to win. We want to lift more trophies. We want to create further history. That is what Chelsea has always done -and we're going to continue that legacy with our supporters beside us at the Bridge."