League Cup revamped as Players Cup with regional split and shootouts
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 11:10 AM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
The Women's League Cup has been renamed the Players Cup and will debut with a new format for the 2026-27 season. The tournament features a 23-team league phase organized into Northern and Southern sections, with each team scheduled to play three home and three away matches from September to December. Matches level at 90 minutes will be decided by penalty shootouts, awarding two points to the winner and one to the loser. This redesign excludes teams qualifying for the Women's Champions League, including Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Current fixtures are set to be released on August 6.
- •The Players Cup will include matches from September to December 2026.
- •Teams are divided into Northern and Southern sections but compete in one table.
- •Penalty shootouts will decide tied matches, affecting point allocation.
- •Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal will not participate this season.
- •Fixtures will be announced on August 6.
- 11:10 AMYahoo Sports — Shootouts & regional split for new-look League Cup
- 11:04 AMBBC Sport — Shootouts & regional split for new-look League Cup
"The Players Cup, formerly the League Cup, will have a 23-team league phase that includes penalty shootouts to settle draws after 90 minutes.
"The Players Cup, formerly the League Cup, will have a 23-team league phase that includes penalty shootouts to settle draws after 90 minutes.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 11:10 AMShootouts & regional split for new-look League Cup
The Players Cup, formerly the League Cup, will have a 23-team league phase that includes penalty shootouts to settle draws after 90 minutes.
- BBC SportJul 28, 2026, 11:04 AMShootouts & regional split for new-look League Cup
The Players Cup, formerly the League Cup, will have a 23-team league phase that includes penalty shootouts to settle draws after 90 minutes.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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