BBC Women's Football Weekly

BBC Radio 5 Live
  • 4.9 (38)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White and former Scotland international Jen Beattie to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

  1. 1D AGO

    Big name departures, Man City celebrate, and a blockbuster Saturday

    The Women's Super League season has been wrapped up and Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are here to unpack it all. They start by looking at some of the players who were key to Manchester City's first title in a decade, plus reflect on an emotional final day of the WSL as we watched some iconic figures represent their clubs for one last time. The 2025-26 WSL Football Awards also took place on Monday night and the team give their verdict on the winners. We hear from England manager Sarina Wiegman who has been chatting to Em Sanders after naming her England squad for the final two 2027 Women’s World Cup European qualifiers. Plus, it's a blockbuster day of football on Saturday! Charlton and Leicester City will compete to determine who gets the final spot in the newly expanded WSL for the 2026/27 season and European giants Lyon and Barcelona meet in the Champions League final. TIMECODES: 02:05 - Who were the key players in Manchester City’s WSL title win? 07:30 - Round up of results on the final day of the season. 08:40 - More big departures across the league, starting with Katie McCabe. 13:50 - Sam Kerr departs Chelsea and Gemma Bonner leaves Liverpool. 16:15 - Big characters and leaders leaving the WSL. 20:15 - Our verdict on the 2025/26 WSL Football Awards. 26:55 - Sarina Wiegman on the latest Lionesses squad announcement. 34:23 - Charlton take on Leicester in a winner-takes-all WSL play-off. 39:55 - Barcelona and Lyon meet in the Champions League final.

    48 min

  2. MAY 12

    Manchester City win WSL title & Brighton reach first FA Cup final

    Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines consider the moments that led to Manchester City ending their decade-long wait for a WSL title. As for their top goal scorer Khadija Shaw, how significant would losing her to rivals Chelsea be? And what must City do to back up this season's success? With Brighton reaching their first ever women's FA cup final, manager Dario Vidosic joins the pod as they chase the club's first major silverware. What's clicked for them in what could end up being their best ever WSL season?  Plus, the panel have their say on Beth Mead's departure from Arsenal; how will she be remembered there and where is her next move? This episode discusses death and the loss of a parent. If you or someone you know is in need of help, visit www.bbc.co.uk/actionline. TIMECODES: 2:40 Manchester City win WSL title 10:40 Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's influence 22'19 Dario Vidosic interview 32:32 Beth Mead leaves Arsenal 40:30 How does this season rank, as a spectacle?

    45 min
  3. Extra: Lucy Staniforth on retirement, pride and a love-hate relationship with football

    MAY 7

    Extra: Lucy Staniforth on retirement, pride and a love-hate relationship with football

    Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth has announced her retirement from football at the end of the season and sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her decision at why she is 'at ease' with her career. The 33-year-old began her career at Sunderland in 2008 and has gone on to represent seven clubs, the most of any player in the Women's Super League. Staniforth also earned 17 caps for England and was an FA Cup runner-up in 2009 and 2013. Lucy chats to Em about the start of her journey, breaking into Sunderland's first team at the age of 16, her love-hate relationship with football over the years and shaking the 'Lucy the footballer' label as she starts a new life away from the pitch. Live commentary of Lucy's final WSL home game for Aston Villa, against Arsenal, is on Sports Extra on Saturday 9th at midday.

    18 min

  4. MAY 5

    Arsenal exit Europe, City leave it late and WSL promotion parties

    Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines reflect on a busy weekend of football from European exits to the finale of the WSL 2 season. Arsenal’s hopes of defending their European title ended on Saturday as they were beaten by Lyon. The team react to a standout display from Melchie Dumournay and Arsenal’s European campaign as a whole. Barcelona also became the first club to reach six consecutive UWCL finals, but can we read anything into Alexia Putellas’ emotional departure from the pitch at the Camp Nou? Manchester City left it late to ensure that winning the Women's Super League remains in their hands. Ellen and Jen discuss the importance of City finding a way to win and touch on the brilliance of Lauren James after Chelsea secured European football for next season. Plus, the WSL 2 came to a dramatic conclusion with Birmingham City and Crystal Palace gaining promotion to the Women's Super League. Hayley Ladd joins the pod to chat Crystal Palace making an immediate return to the WSL and Martha Harris chats to the team about promotion parties after beating Charlton the final day to finish top of the table! Ellen, Jen and Ben also look ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals as Brighton take on Liverpool and Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge. TIMECODES: 02:11 - Arsenal’s hopes of defending their European title were ended by Lyon. 10:25 - Lyon and Barcelona will meet in the UWCL final, again! 15:30 - Round up of new WSL contracts and departure news. 16:55 - Manchester City seal a win in the Knaack of time! 18:55 - Chelsea confirm their spot in the Champions League next season. 21:40 - Ellen is set to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame! 23:38 - A dramatic final day in the WSL 2. 28:22 - Crystal Palace midfielder Hayley Ladd joins the pod. 34:40 - Birmingham City defender Martha Harris joins the pod. 40:09 - We look ahead to the FA Cup semi-finals.

    47 min
  5. Extra: Klara Bühl on assists, finding joy and Bayern Munich’s coffee club

    MAY 1

    Extra: Klara Bühl on assists, finding joy and Bayern Munich’s coffee club

    Ahead of a crucial Champions League semi-final with Bayern Munich, Klara Bühl sits down with Ben Haines to chat life on and off the pitch. The German winger is the undisputed assist Queen in Europe this season and chats to Ben about finding the joy in football, how coaches get the best out of her and her football inspirations growing up. Klara also talks about her rapid rise after making her senior debut for SC Freiburg at just 16-years-old, major tournaments with Germany and Bayern Munich’s coffee club gatherings at Jovana Damnjanović’s cafe! TIMECODES: 01:09 - Klara sits down with Ben Haines. 01:55 - On the team culture at Bayern Munich. 04:58 - On her enjoyment on the game contributing to her form. 10:20 - Learning to find the joy in football. 13:55 - How would she describe her style of play and providing assists. 18:25 - On her football inspirations growing up. 21:00 - On her rapid rise after joining SC Freiburg. 24:55 - On her first major tournament with Germany 2019. 27:20 - On her positive mindset. 29:05 - On her mixed experience at Euro 2022. 32:20 - Life and creativity away from the pitch.

    37 min
  6. Extra: Millie Bright on retirement, abuse and the future

    MAY 1

    Extra: Millie Bright on retirement, abuse and the future

    One day on from announcing her retirement, Chelsea and Lionesses legend Millie Bright sits down with Jo Currie to discuss her decision. A Euros winner in 2022, the 32-year-old has now left Chelsea after 294 appearances, eight Women's Super League titles, six FA Cups and four League Cups. Millie chats to Jo about being both ‘physically and mentally’ ready to say goodbye to football and how she has dealt with the most challenging two years of her life. Bright also reflects on her playing career, which has crossed two eras of women's football, and opens up on what the future holds.

    24 min

  7. APR 28

    New stadia, a slip for City & advantage Arsenal in Europe

    Ellen, Jen and Ben digest a huge week, which saw WSL leaders Man City drop points and put Arsenal 90 minutes from the Champions League final. With Arsenal taking a 2-1 lead into the semi-final second leg; how were they able to handle Lyon? And can they keep it up? In the other semi, it's level between Bayern Munich and Barcelona where Franziska Kett was sent off for a hair-pull; are we seeing more of that as an offence? As for the WSL, Manchester City remain in the driving seat for the title, but how costly might Saturday's loss to Brighton prove to be?  And as Chelsea make a permanent move to Stamford Bridge and Brighton announce a new purpose-built stadium, how do clubs ensure that these projects work? And what do Ellen and Jen want to see as part of the plans?  TIMECODES: 2:05 Arsenal show up in the second half of their semi 11:57 Flair on show between Bayern Munich and Barcelona  20:30 Is hair-pulling becoming more common in football or are we just more aware of it now?  23'14 Will Manchester City be concerned by dropping points at Brighton?  28:19 Manchester United's slump  32:56 Sam Kerr levels the Chelsea WSL goal scoring record 34:24 Sonia Bompastor and Sam Kerr on Chelsea's move to Stamford Bridge 35:15 Brighton release proposal for Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium 42:57 WSL2 goes to the final day

    46 min
  8. Extra: Mariona Caldentey meets Guillem Balagué

    APR 23

    Extra: Mariona Caldentey meets Guillem Balagué

    Ahead of the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, Guillem Balagué sits down with Spain and Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey, who is personally going for a fourth consecutive UWCL title, and a fifth overall! Mariona gives us an insight into her childhood on the island of Mallorca, moving to Barcelona at the age of 18 and how she’s adapted since moving to Arsenal July in 2024. Plus, the pair look ahead to facing European giants Lyon in the semi-finals this season, just how much the Champions League means to her and of course, discuss the growing rivalry on the international stage that is Spain vs the Lionesses! Commentary of both legs of Arsenal’s semi-final against Lyon will be on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. TIMECODES: 00:46 - Mariona sits down with Guillem. 01:17 - Mariona tells us about her childhood in Felanitx, on the island of Mallorca. 06:40 - On joining Barcelona at 18 years old. 08:50 - On moving to Arsenal back in the summer of 2024 and how she’s adapted. 12:24 - On the recognition she achieved during her first season in England. 15:45 - On her club captain Kim Little and playing at the Emirates. 21:20 - Looking back on last year’s Champions League win. 22:40 - Looking ahead to this year’s Champions League semi-final against Lyon. 28:50 - On the developing rivalry between Spain and the Lionesses.

    33 min
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Whether you're a lifelong Lionesses fan or just getting into the women's game, BBC Women's Football Weekly brings you closer to the action with new episodes every week. Ben Haines teams up with England's record goalscorer Ellen White and former Scotland international Jen Beattie to unpack the biggest talking points from the Women's Super League and beyond - covering match previews, standout performances, and all the drama on and off the pitch. BBC Women's Football Weekly also features exclusive interviews with the biggest stars in the Women's Super League and national teams. Subscribe now to get every episode as soon as it drops and stay in the know with the latest from the world of women's football. Plus, listen to classic episodes of Jill Scott's Coffee Club, where Jill sits down with players for honest, off-the-pitch conversations over a coffee.

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