Two Women’s Championship sides are trialling alcohol use in view of the pitch, according to Women's Professional Leagues Limited CEO Nikki Doucet.

The WPLL takeover of the WSL and Championship has sparked many changes to the women’s game in England, but this might be the biggest one so far. 

Alcohol has been prohibited in English football stands since 1985 as a way to prevent hooliganism at matches. In recent years, many have called for the ban to be lifted to no avail. But if all goes well in the Championship, women’s football could be leading the charge with pints in hand. 

Women’s football in England is growing rapidly, engaging new audiences both in the country and abroad. With that growth comes questions around matchday culture and the ways to change and improve the fan experience week in and week out.

The culture at women’s football matches is different from that of the men’s, and though concerns over fans drinking at matches there, what better league to test out the reintroduction of alcohol in the stands than the Women’s Championship?

The two clubs on trial have not yet been disclosed, but it might not be too long before the pints start flowing into women’s football stands across the WSL and Championship.

‍