2019–20 FA WSL
The 2019–20 FA WSL season was the ninth edition of the FA Women's Super League since it was formed in 2010. It was the second season after the rebranding of the four highest levels in English women's football and the twelve teams contesting the season was the greatest number in the league's history to date, following a steady increase from the original eight. It is the first under the new Barclays title sponsorship following a landmark multi-million pound investment.
On 13 March 2020, in line with the FA's response to the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced the season was initially suspended until at least 3 April 2020. After further postponements, the season was ultimately ended prematurely on 25 May 2020 with immediate effect. On 5 June 2020, Chelsea were named as champions, moving them up one place ahead of Manchester City on sporting merit after The FA Board's decision to award places on a points-per-game basis. Manchester City were awarded the second Champions League place and Liverpool were relegated using the same method.
Broadcasting
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, the FA launched a new comprehensive streaming service available on desktop or mobile app that would broadcast every FA WSL game live internationally for free, except in Australia where Optus Sport held exclusive rights, Central America where Sky México held exclusive rights, and Scandinavia where NENT held exclusive rights. The FA Player also streamed the majority of WSL games in the United Kingdom alongside the one game per weekend televised by BBC Sport digitally on their red button service and website while subscription channel BT Sport held the rights to televise a select number of matches which were geo-blocked from the FA Player in the UK.Teams
After the WSL's restructure going into the 2018–19 season, membership of the league returned solely to performance in the previous season, though the league expanded from eleven teams to twelve as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were both promoted after finishing first and second respectively in the Championship during the 2018–19 season while only Yeovil Town were relegated.Team | Location | Ground | Capacity | 2018–19 season |
Arsenal | Borehamwood | Meadow Park | 4,502 | |
Birmingham City | Solihull | Damson Park | 3,050 | |
Brighton & Hove Albion | Crawley | Broadfield Stadium | 6,134 | |
Bristol City | Filton | Stoke Gifford Stadium | 1,500 | |
Chelsea | Kingston upon Thames | Kingsmeadow | 4,850 | |
Everton | Liverpool | Walton Hall Park | ||
Liverpool | Birkenhead | Prenton Park | 16,587 | |
Manchester City | Manchester | Academy Stadium | 7,000 | |
Manchester United | Manchester | Leigh Sports Village | 12,000 | |
Reading | High Wycombe | Adams Park | 9,617 | |
Tottenham Hotspur | Canons Park | The Hive Stadium | 6,500 | |
West Ham United | Romford | Rush Green Stadium | 3,000 |
Stadium changes
In response to the record viewing figures during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, three select fixtures were initially moved to Premier League grounds: The Manchester derby at the City of Manchester Stadium, Chelsea v Tottenham at Stamford Bridge and the North London derby at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. In total, eight of the twelve teams have moved FA WSL fixtures to the larger grounds of their men's affiliate teams: Bristol City later announced their opening game would be played at Ashton Gate, Reading moved one of their league fixtures to the Madjeski Stadium and West Ham announced they would host Spurs at the London Stadium. Brighton & Hove Albion moved their match against Birmingham to the Falmer Stadium to coincide with the FA's Women's Football Weekend, held during a men's international break. Liverpool later moved their Merseyside derby, held on the same weekend, to Anfield and Everton scheduled the reverse fixture in February at Goodison Park.After originally planning to permanently relocate to their new Walton Hall Park stadium in October 2019 following their opening two home games, delays meant Everton had to postpone the move until February 2020 and eventually scheduled six of their 11 home league games at Haig Avenue in Southport.
Personnel and kits
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
Arsenal | ![]() | ![]() | Adidas | Fly Emirates |
Birmingham City | ![]() | ![]() | Adidas | Maple from Canada |
Brighton & Hove Albion | ![]() | ![]() | Nike | American Express |
Bristol City | ![]() | ![]() | Bristol Sport | Yeo Valley |
Chelsea | ![]() | ![]() | Nike | Yokohama Tyres |
Everton | ![]() | ![]() | Umbro | SportPesa |
Liverpool | ![]() | ![]() | New Balance | BetVictor |
Manchester City | ![]() | ![]() | Puma | Etihad Airways |
Manchester United | ![]() | ![]() | Adidas | Chevrolet |
Reading | ![]() | ![]() | Macron | YLD |
Tottenham Hotspur | ![]() ![]() | ![]() | Nike | AIA |
West Ham United | ![]() | ![]() | Umbro | Betway |
Managerial changes
League table
Results
Season statistics
Top scorers
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
1 | ![]() | Arsenal | 16 |
2 | ![]() | Chelsea | 14 |
3 | ![]() | Manchester City | 10 |
4 | ![]() | Everton | 9 |
5 | ![]() | Manchester United | 6 |
5 | ![]() | Chelsea | 6 |
5 | ![]() | Manchester City | 6 |
8 | ![]() | Arsenal | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Liverpool | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Manchester City | 5 |
8 | ![]() | West Ham United | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Arsenal | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Arsenal | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Chelsea | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Bristol City | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Reading | 5 |
8 | ![]() | Manchester United | 5 |
Top assists
Rank | Player | Club | Assists |
1 | ![]() | Arsenal | 8 |
2 | ![]() | Manchester City | 7 |
3 | ![]() | Reading | 6 |
3 | ![]() | Chelsea | 6 |
5 | ![]() | Chelsea | 5 |
6 | ![]() | Arsenal | 4 |
6 | ![]() | Arsenal | 4 |
6 | ![]() | Manchester City | 4 |
6 | ![]() | Manchester City | 4 |
10 | ![]() | Chelsea | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Chelsea | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Manchester United | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Chelsea | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Arsenal | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Manchester City | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Birmingham City | 3 |
10 | ![]() | Manchester City | 3 |
Clean sheets
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
1 | ![]() | Manchester City | 10 |
2 | ![]() | Arsenal | 6 |
3 | ![]() | Manchester United | 5 |
4 | ![]() | Chelsea | 4 |
4 | ![]() | Everton | 4 |
4 | ![]() | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 |
4 | ![]() | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 |
8 | ![]() | Bristol City | 3 |
9 | ![]() | Birmingham City | 2 |
9 | ![]() | Reading | 2 |
9 | ![]() | Arsenal | 2 |
9 | ![]() | Chelsea | 2 |
Awards
Monthly awards
Annual awards
Award | Winner | Club |
Barclays FA WSL Player of the Season | ![]() | Chelsea |
Barclays FA WSL Manager of the Season | ![]() | Chelsea |
FWA Footballer of the Year | ![]() | Arsenal |
Prize money
An FA WSL prize fund was put in place for the first time, following the new Barclay's sponsorship deal, with the entire pot totaling £500,000. The money was awarded in decreasing increments with the champions winning £100,000 and the last placed team being awarded £6,000.Finish | Prize money |
1st | £100,000 |
2nd | £67,000 |
3rd | £60,000 |
4th | £55,000 |
5th | £49,000 |
6th | £43,000 |
7th | £36,000 |
8th | £30,000 |
9th | £24,000 |
10th | £18,000 |
11th | £12,000 |
12th | £6,000 |