“WSL Football Releases Groundbreaking Stadium Design Guidelines for Women’s Teams”

The latest guideline from WSL Football feels like a real turning point for women’s sports in England. Their comprehensive document, Design Guidelines for the Delivery of Elite Women’s Stadiums in England, aims to completely rethink how stadiums for women’s teams are built or upgraded.

It tackles the specific needs of female athletes and supporters, hoping to create stadiums that feel inclusive and accessible for everyone, regardless of gender. As more clubs think about moving women’s teams into new homes, this guideline offers a detailed design briefing to help clubs, local authorities, and architects get it right.

Why the Guideline is a Game-Changer

For the first time, a framework exists that actually addresses the unique requirements of female athletes and supporters. The guideline is the result of three years of consultation with all sorts of stakeholders—supporters, clubs, current and former players, managers, technical staff, medical professionals, media, broadcasters, governing bodies, engineers, sports architects, and sustainability experts.

This collaborative approach means the document covers everything from female-friendly changing rooms and accessibility for disabled supporters to future-proofing for environmental changes. It’s a lot to take in, honestly, but it’s overdue.

Key Highlights of the Guideline

The document lays out several recommendations for making women’s football more inclusive and accessible. Some of the key highlights include:

• A 45/45 percent male/female toilet split, with the last 10 percent gender neutral—moving away from the old 80/20 split.
• Baby-changing facilities and family toilets for parents with kids of the opposite gender.
• Dedicated rooms for players, staff, media, and broadcast talent to breastfeed or care for their child, plus multi-faith spaces.
• Better accessibility for disabled supporters—think changing places, audio-descriptive commentary, and sensory rooms.
• Changing facilities that fit the growing squad sizes in women’s football, with separate areas for under-18s and for female and male managers or backroom staff.
• Menstruation provision in squad changing areas.
• Reconsidering seat sizes for fans, including bigger seats for parents with young kids.
• Safe, clearly marked, and well-lit travel routes to grounds.
• Making accessibility, transport connectivity, and low environmental impact central to site selection.
• Water stations and shaded areas.

Addressing Safety and Accessibility Concerns

Safety and accessibility come up a lot in the guideline. With many WSL matches kicking off early, the document stresses the need for clear signage and well-lit walkways—especially during those short, gloomy winter days.

Some venues don’t even have proper parking, so fans end up leaving their cars far from the stadium. Better public transport links are also a must. Leigh in Greater Manchester, for example, doesn’t have a train station, even though it’s home to Manchester United Women’s Progress With Unity Stadium.

Creating Inclusive and Family-Friendly Environments

The guideline pushes for stadiums to be genuinely inclusive and family-friendly. It recommends baby-changing facilities, family toilets, and specific rooms for breastfeeding and childcare.

These features matter, especially as more players are mothers who need to juggle professional and personal lives. Larger seats for parents with children and multi-faith spaces also get a mention, which feels like a thoughtful touch.

Future-Proofing for Environmental Change

Future-proofing is another big theme. The guideline suggests adding water stations and shaded areas to keep supporters comfortable and safe during matches.

It also puts sustainability front and center when picking new stadium sites. Clubs are encouraged to think about minimal environmental impact right from the start.

Primacy and the Importance of Dedicated Stadiums

Primacy for women’s teams stands out as a key takeaway. Right now, a lot of women’s teams share or rent facilities, which means they’re often at the mercy of whoever holds the main schedule.

The guideline points out the perks of having dedicated stadiums for women’s teams. When teams have their own space, they get priority on when and how they play. That’s a big deal for players and supporters, and it shows real commitment to the growth of women’s football.

Incorporating Phased Openings and Smart Utilization

There are some clever ideas here, too. Arsenal’s approach at the Emirates Stadium—where only the lower bowl opens for certain matches—lets them get the most out of existing facilities while sticking to restrictions on the number of games played.

This kind of smart utilization helps clubs maximize resources and still offer a top-notch experience for fans.

Supporting All Clubs and Independent Teams

The guideline isn’t just for the big clubs. It makes a point to include independent teams and those outside the men’s Premier League.

By offering a comprehensive design brief, the document lets clubs at every level improve their stadiums and create inclusive, accessible environments for all players and supporters.

A Vision for the Future

The release of the Design Guidelines for the Delivery of Elite Women’s Stadiums in England marks a real turning point for women’s football. These guidelines don’t just talk about stadiums—they focus on what female athletes and their fans actually need.

They’re pushing for spaces that feel open, accessible, and honestly, just better for everyone involved. More clubs seem to be thinking about new homes for their women’s teams, and this document seems like a solid blueprint to help them get it right.