Arsenal have announced that the Emirates Stadium will be the primary home ground for the women’s team next season.
The club intend to host 11 matches at the Emirates — eight of their 11 Women’s Super League (WSL) home fixtures and three Champions League games. Depending on progress in Europe’s elite competition, it would also mean all home legs in the knockout rounds would be played in the stadium. The remaining cup fixtures in the FA Cup and League Cup will be played at Meadow Park.
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Arsenal’s home matches have historically been held at Meadow Park, home of National League side Boreham Wood, but they have gradually increased the number of WSL fixtures held at the Emirates season on season.
There has been an average crowd of 52,029 across six WSL matches and an 11 per cent increase in average attendances at the Emirates compared to last season, including two sell-out games against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and three attendance records.
“We’ve recently seen extraordinary growth in supporters coming to Emirates Stadium for games held here, which include two complete sell-outs this season,” Arsenal’s outgoing chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, said. “The next step in our journey is to make Emirates Stadium our main home for Arsenal Women. We’re looking forward to giving more supporters the chance to watch our women’s team play.”
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Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar added that the move supports the club’s ambition “to win major trophies across our men’s and women’s teams”.
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall said: “We have a special connection with our supporters, who have shown up in huge numbers and pushed us forward every step of the way.
“To everyone who has followed us so far, thank you. You have played a key part in our progress and growth, helping us write this story.
“Next season, Emirates Stadium becomes our main home and we’re all excited to play in front of bigger crowds every week. We can’t wait to see you all there.”
Arsenal has also introduced new ticket packages for supporters to attend Emirates WSL matches.
Arsenal are offering an ‘Emirates Home Advantage Pack+’ which has discounted tickets for all eight planned WSL matches at the Emirates next season, while their Home Advantage Pack provides an option for attending five select matches at a reduced rate.
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The exact fixtures incorporated into each pack will be confirmed later in the summer, after the 2024-25 WSL fixtures have been released.
Eidevall’s side host Brighton & Hove Albion at Meadow Park this Saturday in their final game of the season.
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‘Move enhances Arsenal’s one club stance’
This decision from Arsenal is a major step forward in an ambition they have been vocalising publicly for almost two years.
Head coach, Jonas Eidevall first spoke about wanting to make Emirates Stadium the permanent home of the women’s team in September 2022. They had been consistently building a presence at the Emirates since a year prior, but have built upon that naturally to make this a possibility.
Symbolically, the move will serve to enhance Arsenal’s ‘one club’ stance. The move should also be beneficial financially, given the extra matchday revenue that can be generated at the Emirates compared to Meadow Park.
It is important to mention that some games will still be played at Meadow Park, where the soul of the women’s team has grown over the years.
(Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)