The final day of the Women’s Super League may still feel a long time away in January.
But in just over four months time, the climax of the elite women’s domestic season will be upon us, with the WSL’s concluding fixtures currently set for May 28. However, this could pose a major headache for league organisers, the Football Association.
That same date is set for the final day of action from the Premier League. All 20 teams from the top flight of English men’s football will be in action, with all final day matches required to kick-off at the same time.
According to reports in The Telegraph, the FA are already wary of potential problems that could be caused by the clash and are now in discussions with league broadcasters to switch the date of the WSL final day. A move forward 24 hours is now a serious option, which would see the WSL conclude on May 27, before the Premier League action the following day.
Another option could be to move back the WSL games 24 hours, with Monday May 29 a public bank holiday in the UK. That would allow clubs a huge opportunity to draw in families and end the season with their biggest attendance. So why might this be needed?
No clash has ever taken place before but if the dates were left unchanged it could potentially harm the media coverage of the WSL. The Premier League is likely to dominate news space if both take place on the 28th, particularly if the title is still hanging in the balance. Although both BBC and Sky Sports would still have room to broadcast WSL games without a switch, a new date is likely to be preferred by them as well.
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It could also prove impossible for fans of the men’s and women’s teams at their club to attend both games, with 11 of the 12 teams in the women’s top flight also members of the Premier League.
For example, a Brighton fan travelling to watch the men’s side at Aston Villa wouldn’t also be able see the women’s side host Leicester in what could be a relegation decider.
Any clash would also scupper Arsenal’s chances of finishing their season at the Emirates. Jonas Eidevall’s title-chasing team played at the men’s regular stadium in their final home fixture of last season, when beating Tottenham 3-0 in May. They have already held WSL fixtures against Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea at the Emirates this season.
The Gunners will face Aston Villa at home on the final day of the WSL, but unless there is a change of dates they won’t be able to return to the 60,000 all-seater. Arsenal’s men are also at home on the final day of the Premier League, against Wolves.
Giving the WSL a new date seems the logical option but organisers will have to move quickly to allow clubs the maximum time needed to market ticket sales. The prospect of the season finale not maximising its potential if lost amongst Premier League fixtures is one the FA have to avoid.
The WSL is known for exciting finishes. In 2014 three teams went into the final day with a chance of winning the league, while Arsenal and Chelsea were both in contention for the title on a thrilling final day last season. It may very well go down to the last few hours again, with four teams currently in the race and only separated by a handful of points.
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With this year’s season already proving to be one of the best in WSL history, it deserves to finish with a flourish. A dramatic finale would need the right exposure to maximise the league’s potential audience., meaning a switch of dates may soon become an inevitably rather than a possibility.
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