- The 2024/25 Women's Championship season begins on Sunday
- 11 teams will compete following Reading's withdrawal from the competition
- Newcastle United and Portsmouth are the new arrivals in the league
This weekend marks the beginning of the 2024/25 Women's Championship season and it's expected to be the most competitive campaign yet.
Newly-promoted teams Newcastle United and Portsmouth are gearing up for a new journey in the second tier, but only 11 sides will compete this season following Reading's withdrawal from the competition earlier this summer.
Crystal Palace edged the promotion battle in 2023/24 in what was the most exciting title race in years. Just ten points separated first and fifth and all five teams were in the hunt until the latter stages of the campaign.
This year it's expected to be no different as teams across the division continue to invest both on and off the pitch with promotion to the WSL the end goal. As ever, the title race is impossible to call with a number of sides ready to make their mark on the league.
90min has previewed the upcoming season and identified each club's player to watch.
Birmingham City
After narrowly missing out on promotion in 2022/23, last season presented another huge opportunity for Birmingham City to regain their place in the top flight. Despite a difficult start to the campaign, the Midlands club found themselves top of the standings at Christmas and were the team to beat.
However, it wasn't to be and manager Darren Carter departed in April. They ultimately finished fifth in the standings and struggled to find the consistency required to really challenge their rivals.
This season, they will be working under former Brighton coach Amy Merricks and she's already starting to make her mark on the squad. Hopes are high for this new era, but a strong start will be absolutely crucial given the strength of those around them.
Player to watch: Ava Baker
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers secured a mid-table finish in the league last term and were unable to truly threaten those above them. It's a testament to the quality of the league that they only finished ten points behind eventual winners Crystal Palace, but it will no doubt be a tough season as competition continues to grow.
Last season's finish was their highest ever in the Championship, so it's tough to see them breaking that once again. Not least because London City Lionesses, who finished eighth last term, have invested, while Saudi-backed Newcastle United are among the newly-promoted teams.
A handful of key stars, including player of the year Lucy Shepherd, departed over the summer. The significant overhaul in the squad means a period of transition may be required before they can return to or even improve on last season's performance.
Player to watch: Rachel Dugdale
Bristol City
2022/23 title winners Bristol City return to the Championship for the upcoming season following just one campaign back in the WSL. They ended last season bottom of the standings with just six points from 22 games.
The team appeared to be returning to the Championship in a position of strength, but the recent announcement of Lauren Smith's departure places a cloud of uncertainty over the club at a crucial time.
While their search for a new permanent manager gets underway, Loren Dykes has assumed the role of interim head coach. But they now have a mountain to climb before the season has even begun.
Player to watch: Lexi Lloyd-Smith
Charlton Athletic
The 2024/25 season will be a significant one for Charlton Athletic after they narrowly missed out on the title and promotion by just a single point last term. They won 13 of their 22 Championship fixtures and pushed the race right until the final day.
The club have made some positive new additions including Ellie Brazil, previously of Tottenham Hotspur. They have also signed promising West Ham starlet Princess Ademiluyi on loan for the upcoming season.
Player to watch: Princess Ademiluyi
Durham
After a ninth-placed finish in the Championship last season, the priority for Durham this summer has been retention. There's been little movement in terms of incomings and outgoings, but upwards of ten contract renewals have been dished out ahead of the new campaign.
It is hoped the consistency within the squad will allow them to build on last season's finish, as opposed to finding themselves in the thick of a relegation battle. With two teams now suffering the drop, the competition at the bottom of the table has never been greater.
Durham will begin their season on Sunday at home to Sheffield United before an away trip to newly-promoted Portsmouth a week later.
Player to watch: Kaila Novak
London City Lionesses
Despite a disappointing eighth-placed finish in the Championship last term, London City Lionesses begin the new season as a surprise favourite for the title and promotion. Following Michele Kang's acquisition of the club at the end of last year, significant investment has been made both on and off the pitch.
As well as an upgrade on facilities, former Paris Saint-Germain boss Jocelyn Precheur has been named as the team's new head coach. Sweden star Kosovare Asllani was also a big-name arrival this summer, joining from Italian side AC Milan.
Given the investment, the new manager and the squad now in place, a strong title charge is a fair expectation of this current London City team. They will hope last season's struggles are firmly behind them as a new era at the club begins.
Player to watch: Kosovare Asllani
Newcastle United
Despite their newly-promoted status, Newcastle United make up another of the title favourites this season. The club have been operating under a full-time model for over a year and secured back-to-back promotions in their previous two campaigns.
Not only that, they have invested heavily in the playing squad and attracted some of the biggest names in the game, including former Manchester City defender Demi Stokes. Ex-Liverpool and Bristol City midfielder Rachel Furness is also among their new arrivals, as well as Shania Hayles.
There is also stability at the club as manager Becky Langley penned a new long-term contract earlier this week. They will need to navigate the jump between divisions, but the arrival of such experienced players should help smooth the process.
Player to watch: Demi Stokes
Portsmouth
The second new arrival in the Championship is Portsmouth, who claimed victory in the southern division of the National League last term. They have also made the step up to a full-time model ahead of the new campaign, but maintaining their second-tier status beyond the 2024/25 season will be the priority.
There's been consistency in the squad and a handful of solid new arrivals in a bid to increase their chances of survival. Pompey will hope to replicate the success of their south coast rivals Southampton, who have comfortably remained in the Championship since their promotion in 2022.
Player to watch: Megan Hornby
Sheffield United
Sheffield United finished seventh in the Championship standings last term after winning nine of their 22 league games. It was only a slight improvement on the previous two campaigns, but they will hope to push on further this term and challenge at the top of the table.
There has been somewhat of an exodus of players this summer, with Rebecca Rayner, Sophie Barker, Jodie Hutton, Tara Bourne and Fran Stenson among those to depart. However, the Blades have recruited smartly with former Leicester City starlet Monique Robinson now among their ranks.
Ash Thompson has also made the step up from the club's academy to coach the women's side. His promotion marks a new era for the team and, like many of their rivals in the division, they'll be getting to grips with life under fresh leadership this season.
Player to watch: Monique Robinson
Southampton
Southampton have continued to impress in the Championship following their promotion in 2022. In their first season, they comfortably evaded relegation and secured a mid-table finish.
Last term, they were able to push on further and were among the teams battling it out for the title until the latter stages of the campaign. They ultimately finished fourth in the standings but just seven points behind winners Palace.
The Saints underwent a managerial change this summer after former boss Marieanne Spacey-Cale stepped aside to take on a wider role within the club. Remi Allen has been appointed as their new head coach and it's been a positive summer in terms of recruitment, with the loan signing of Aston Villa's Freya Gregory and permanent arrival of former Leicester City midfielder Aimee Palmer.
Player to watch: Aimee Palmer
Sunderland
Sunderland will also be among the clubs hoping to battle it out for the Championship title once again. They finished third in the league last term, just five points off promotion.
Consistency has largely been the key in terms of recruitment, with few outgoings or incomings, while there have been numerous renewals. One major loss, however, was the departure of last season's Golden Glove winner Claudia Moan to North East rivals Newcastle.
Moan's exit was eased somewhat by the arrival of goalkeeper Demi Lambourne, while the Black Cats' attacking ranks have been bolstered by the signing of former Everton forward Eleanor Dale.
