From the 2026/27 season, WSL Football’s secondary competition will have a new name and format with Subway agreeing a new multi-year deal to become title partner.
Previously the Subway Women’s League Cup, the competition has been renamed the Subway Players Cup, recognising the new format being built around player welfare principles. And with the objective of putting players at the heart of everything.
The group stage of The Subway Players Cup will adopt a Swiss-style league format, with fixtures drawn by region. This structure guarantees a minimum of six matches and is designed to increase playing opportunities for players not involved in European competition, which ensures they are not underloaded and playing too few matches.
The new proposals will also mean the three UEFA Champions League qualified teams would not participate in the competition because of the increased playing load due to the calendar.
A competition designed around player welfare
When WSL Football was established, it was agreed that a competition review would take place, including the secondary cup competition. The result of a comprehensive format review, which included consultation with clubs, players and fans, recognised there was an opportunity to reshape the tournament and provide it with a new clarity of purpose.
Because the proposed new format will not include UEFA Champions League clubs, the competition required repositioning, as it will not feature every club across the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
Built with player welfare at its core, the new format of the Subway Players Cup addresses calendar congestion by removing UEFA Women’s Champions League qualified clubs from the competition while increasing meaningful playing minutes, rotation opportunities and development pathways for all other squads and opening the possibility for new winners of the competition.
Subway renewal
Subway will become the title partner of The Players Cup following two successful seasons supporting The League Cup. The renewed partnership ensures the continued growth of women’s football, whilst also supporting Subway’s work in communities across the UK that champion active lifestyles and increase accessibility to the sport.
Kirstey Elston, Senior Marketing Director, Marketing, EMEA Subway said “We are excited to renew our partnership with WSL Football as they continue to bring something fresh to the women’s game. The Players Cup represents a brilliant opportunity to support a sport that is growing fast and inspiring communities across the country and we are proud to stand alongside WSL Football in championing the women’s game.”
