Barclays Hampden launches new SWF national leagues season
The Barclays Scottish Women’s Football national leagues kick off on Sunday in what promises to be the most competitive season yet.
To mark this, players and officials from all 23 teams playing in Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship and League One gathered at the national stadium to launch the 2026/27 season.
Now proud title sponsors of the Barclays Hampden stadium, and sponsors of the Scottish Cup and the SFAs NextGen series, the leading financial services company enters its third season as title sponsor of the pinnacle of the grassroots women’s pyramid in Scotland, which serves communities from Dumfries to Moray and everywhere in between.
Last season saw a 15% increase in average attendances across the two leagues with more communities finding out about their local women’s team and going along to lend support.
Good crowds helped Elgin City secure back-to-back promotions by lifting the Barclays League One trophy, and will be facing teams like East Fife and Stirling University, who have joined from SWPL2.
Edinburgh South, Bishopton, Huntly and Giffnock SC have been promoted from the regional SWFL into League One.
Attendees heard from Hibernian manager and former Scotland defender Joelle Murray, who received the Spirit of SWF Award in November.
Commenting, Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell said: “It’s wonderful to be able to host the league launch in the newly-named Barclays Hampden, underlining the importance Barclays sees in supporting not just the elite game but also the grassroots too.
“We know from the growth in attendances and social media reach that more and more people are supporting their local women’s football team, and I’m certain those communities will continue to grow. The support from Barclays has been central to that growth.”
Stephen Flaherty, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Group Technology Infrastructure Services and Glasgow Site Lead Barclays said: “As one of Scotland’s largest financial services companies, our support for football in Scotland goes from strength to strength. The teams in the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship and League One play a vital role in their communities all across the country, and we are delighted to be able to welcome them to Barclays Hampden for the launch of what will surely be another thrilling season.”
The leagues represent a vital bridge between regional grassroots football and the Scottish Women’s Premier League, with the best regional teams promoted to League One and the top two Championship teams provided the opportunity to join SWPL2 through the promotion and play-off system.
2 August 2026 Opening Day fixtures:
Barclays Championship:
Ayr United v Stirling University
Bonnyrigg Rose v Stenhousemuir
Dryburgh Athletic v Rossvale
Dunipace v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
East Fife v Greenock Morton
Elgin City v Forfar Farmington
Barclays League One:
Airdrie CC v Westdyke
Bishopton v Queen of the South
Cambusdoon v Inverurie Loco Works
Dunfermline Athletic v Huntly
Edinburgh South v Giffnock
St Mirren will sit the first week out after Armadale Thistle withdrew.
