Barclays launches new season of Women’s Football action in Scotland
The new Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship and League One season kicks off on 10 August 2025 with new teams, new challenges and plenty of talking points.
Players and officials from all 18 teams were joined by former Scotland and Aston Villa captain Rachel Corsie and both the English Premier League and Women’s Super League trophies at the Barclays Scotland Campus in Glasgow to mark the new season, with the remaining six teams unable to attend because of the disruptions to travel from Storm Floris.
The leading financial services company added the two leagues to their well-established football family last year, and both competitions proved highly competitive.
This season promises to exceed that, with Ayr United and Rossvale returning to the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship from SWPL2, and joined by promoted League One Champions Bonnyrigg Rose and runners-up Armadale Thistle.
Westdyke and Hutchison Vale have dropped to Barclays Scottish Women’s League One, where they join promoted regional pyramid sides Cambusdoon, Dunfermline Athletic, Elgin City and Glenrothes Strollers for the new season.
Commenting, Scottish Women’s Football CEO Aileen Campbell said: “We’ve already seen how the support of Barclays, a first-ever sponsor, has elevated our top leagues, with more people than ever following the exciting title races last season.
“This season it steps up again. We have an unprecedented number of derbies in our national leagues, including Lothians, Falkirk and Glasgow derbies in the Championship, and Fife, Edinburgh and Northeast derbies in League One.
“As the women’s football pyramid matures each league gets more competitive, further raising the aspirations and visibility of the women who play in them. Barclays role has been crucial in that growth.”
Koral Anderson, MD Barclays Scotland Site Lead, said: “As one of Scotland’s largest financial services companies, I am proud that Barclays has extended our football sponsorship into Scotland. Our first season as title sponsor did not disappoint, and I recognise the vital role these clubs play in communities across the country. I am looking forward to another successful season under our partnership with Scottish Women’s Football. Good luck to all 24 teams.”
Former Scotland and Aston Villa captain Rachel Corsie said: “It was wonderful to attend the league launch of the Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship and League One and hear directly from the players about their hopes and dreams for the season ahead’’.
The leagues represent the 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 the SWPL through the promotion and play-off system.
The leagues also have significant geographic reach, from Queen of the South in Dumfries to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands.
This Sunday, 10 August –
Barclays Scottish Women’s Championship opening day fixtures:
Ayr United v Rossvale
Forfar Farmington v Glasgow Girls & Women
Dryburgh Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Bonnyrigg Rose v Renfrew Ladies
Armadale Thistle v Stenhousemuir
Falkirk v Greenock Morton
Barclays Scottish Women’s League One opening day fixtures:
Airdrie CC v Dunfermline Athletic
Dunipace v St Mirren
Glenrothes Strollers v Hutchison Vale
Cambusdoon v Westdyke
Elgin City v Inverurie Locos
Edinburgh Caledonia v Queen of the South
