The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) has today published the fixtures for the 2025/26 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League and ScottishPower Women’s Premier League 2 seasons which get underway on Sunday 17 August.
Reigning champions Hibernian will begin their title defence at home to Aberdeen as they seek to emulate a historic season which saw them win the SWPL title for first time in 18 years on a memorable final day of the 2024/25 Season.
The Leith side won all three of the two clubs’ meetings last season, including victory in the Sky Sports Cup semi-final.
It’s a stern test for Scott Booth’s Dons side who finished eighth last season and will aspire to break into the top six this campaign.
Newly promoted Hamilton Academical start life back in the top division at home to Partick Thistle.
Robert Watson led Accies to the SWPL 2 title last season, returning to the SWPL at the first time of asking.
They face a Thistle side that finished seventh last term and new manager, David Elliott, will be keen to start the season strongly and take the Jags back into the top six following back-to-back top six finishes in seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Last season’s runners-up, Glasgow City, host last season’s top six first-timers Motherwell on the opening day. After narrowly losing out on the league title in the closing stages of the season, Leanne Ross will be looking to go one further and finish the season as league champions – a feat last achieved in 2022/23, on another epic final day of the league season.
The Women of Steel boss Paul Brownlie will be aiming to maintain their position in the top six following a strong showing last season, which also included leading his team out at Hampden in a Scottish Cup semi-final.
2023/24 and 2024/25 Sky Sports Cup and Scottish Cup double winners, Rangers, begin their season away to Montrose.
The Mighty Mo managed to avoid the drop, with an incredible run of form in the closing stages of last season, impressively maintaining their top-flight status by winning seven and losing only one of their 10 matches in the post-split phase.
They will be hoping to carry that momentum into the opening rounds of the upcoming season. Despite adding further silverware to the cabinet, Rangers agonisingly missed out on the title and a UEFA Women’s Champions League spot on the final day of the season.
They will be desperate to add the ScottishPower Women’s Premier league title to their impressive trophy haul in recent seasons and begin their latest quest with a tricky test on the Angus coast.
The final tie will see 2023/24 champions Celtic travel to face Hearts at Oriam. Last season’s 4th and 5th placed teams won twice each across the four meetings last season, so this promises to be yet another tight contest.
Elena Sadiku will be hoping her Hoops side can turnaround their recent fortunes and ensure Celtic are in contention in what is expected to be another fascinating and hotly contested title race.
Meanwhile Eva Olid will be determined to see Hearts mount their own title challenge with last season’s tally of 59 points their best
so far in the SWPL era.
The first Edinburgh derby of next season between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian will take place on Sunday 7 September with the reverse fixture on Sunday 16 November. Both sides won two derbies apiece last season, with the away side victorious in all matches between the Capital’s big two.
In a derby-day special, Celtic and Rangers will also face off on 7 September and 16 November, where both clubs will be seeking to get an early advantage in the race for the title.
Rangers were the dominant team in this fixture last season, winning twice and drawing twice, with Celtic’s last victory in this fixture coming in March 2024.
Scotland’s UEFA Women’s Champions League representatives Hibernian and Glasgow City are scheduled to play each other on Sunday 31 August, however due to their European matches, will instead face each other on Wednesday 1 October.
The return fixture between last season’s top two sides will take place on Sunday 23 November.
Fiona McIntyre, Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) Managing Director, said: “The launch of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League fixtures is one of the most hotly anticipated days of the year, as clubs, players, coaches and fans get their first glimpse of what lies ahead in the new season.
“After yet another dramatic end to last season in both divisions, there’s a growing level of anticipation and excitement around
fixture publication day and the upcoming campaign, as the SWPL enters into its fourth season.
“The 2025/26 Season will see a new league format introduced for the first time. The key changes see a move to two leagues of ten as well as the introduction of a split and an extended play-off system in SWPL 2.
“We believe these changes will help deliver two extremely competitive and entertaining divisions. With six different league winners in the last three years across both divisions, the SWPL has become one of the most entertaining and competitive leagues in Europe, already gaining a reputation for final-day drama.
“We anticipate another compelling season as clubs battle to finish in the top six and fight to avoid relegation in both leagues.
“We can’t wait to get the new campaign underway, and I would encourage as many fans as possible to play their part by getting along to a SWPL match on the opening day to see elite football delivered locally in what we anticipate may be the best season of SWPL action yet.”
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower CEO, said: “Last season saw yet more final day drama as another exciting ScottishPower Premier League competition reached its conclusion.
“The new fixtures promise more unforgettable moments, with players, staff and volunteers across the clubs ready to compete at the highest level once again.
“As proud sponsors of both SWPL1 and SWPL2, everyone at ScottishPower is eagerly counting down to kick-off and I’d like to wish all the teams and their supporters the very best of luck for what’s set to be another inspiring season ahead.”
