Women’s football continues to evolve.

And the latest change isn't just about a new name.

From the 2026-27 season, the Subway Women’s League Cup will become the Subway Players Cup, with a completely revamped format designed to put player welfare, development and meaningful minutes at the centre of the competition.

The changes follow a comprehensive review of the secondary cup competition, with WSL Football consulting clubs, players, and supporters before deciding on a new direction.

The result is a competition designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing the women's game: how to create more opportunities for players without adding unnecessary pressure to an increasingly congested calendar.

A Competition Designed Around Player Development

The biggest change is the decision to remove clubs competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League from the tournament.

That means the three WSL clubs qualified for this season's Champions League will not participate in the Players Cup, helping to reduce the workload on players already facing a demanding schedule.

For the remaining clubs, however, the competition will provide a guaranteed six matches during the league phase.

The aim is simple: more meaningful playing time for players who might otherwise struggle to get regular minutes.

That could be particularly important for young players, fringe squad members and those returning from injury.

Rather than simply being another competition added to the calendar, the Players Cup is intended to become a genuine development opportunity.

A new Swiss-style league phase

The traditional group stage has also been replaced.

All 23 participating teams will compete in one unified league table, with each club playing six matches — three at home and three away — against teams from their regionalised section.

The league phase will run from September through December, primarily during UEFA Women's Champions League match rounds.

The competition will feature 69 fixtures in total.

Three points will be awarded for a win, while matches level after 90 minutes will go straight to a penalty shootout.

The winning team will receive two points, with the losing side taking one.

At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams will progress to the knockout rounds.

More Minutes for Young and Fringe Players

For WSL Football, the changes are about more than simply creating a new competition structure.

They are about addressing the disparity in playing opportunities across the women's game.

A young player can train every day alongside some of the best footballers in the world, but development ultimately comes through playing.

The Players Cup is designed to provide more of those opportunities.

With Champions League clubs removed from the competition, there is also a greater possibility of new teams competing for silverware.

That could make the tournament more competitive while giving emerging players a chance to experience high-pressure knockout football.

Players consulted during the review have reportedly welcomed the changes, highlighting the prospect of more matches, increased competitiveness and a genuine opportunity to win a trophy.

From League Cup to Players Cup

The name change reflects that new purpose.

The Subway Players Cup is intended to signal that players are at the centre of the competition rather than simply being participants within another domestic tournament.

Its new visual identity has also been designed around the idea of player movement, with the trophy-lifting action providing inspiration for the competition's emblem.

The identity combines colours associated with the BWSL and BWSL2, reflecting the involvement of clubs from both leagues.

Players, fans and clubs were consulted throughout the design process, helping shape the final identity.

Subway Extends Partnership With New Competition

The rebrand also comes alongside a renewed multi-year partnership with Subway.

The company has supported the competition for the past two seasons and will now become the title partner of the Players Cup.

Its involvement has extended beyond sponsorship, with Subway and The Well HQ previously collaborating on female-focused fuelling guidance designed specifically around the nutritional needs of women in sport.

The partnership also comes after last season's League Cup final attracted a record crowd of more than 21,000 to Bristol City's Ashton Gate, where Chelsea defeated Manchester United 2-0.

That growing interest provides an important backdrop to the competition's next chapter.

What Happens Next in the Players Cup Timeline

The Players Cup will now move into its new League Phase, with fixtures running between September and December.

The top eight teams will then enter the knockout phase.

Quarter-finals will take place on 13 and 14 January 2027, followed by the semi-finals on 10 and 11 February.

The final is scheduled for the weekend of 13 and 14 March 2027 at a neutral venue yet to be confirmed.

The structure gives the competition a clearer purpose.

It's not designed to compete with the Champions League or add another layer to the fixture calendar.

Instead, it is designed to give more players the chance to play, develop and compete for silverware.

And that could make the Subway Players Cup one of the most important development platforms in the English women's game.