Rangers kick off Scottish Women's Premier League title defence with Glasgow derby clash

Scottish Women’s Premier League champions Rangers will kick off the defence of their crown at home to Glasgow Women.

The Gers claimed the first title in their history last season and begin the 2022/23 campaign against the SWPL2 runners-up on Sunday, August 7.

Glasgow City take on Spartans at Tinto Park after finishing seven points behind Malky Thomson’s side at the top of the division in 2021/22 while cup double winners Celtic face Hibernian at the Excelsior Stadium.

Runaway second tier winners Dundee United, who scooped the SWPL 2 title by a 20-point margin, are at home to Motherwell.

A revamped league structure will be in place for the season, with a 12-team division replacing the previous ten-team structure in the first campaign under the responsibility of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

Teams will play each other three times before a split after 33 matches – mirroring the setup used in the men’s game.

There was no relegation at the end of last season, with Hamilton Accies retaining their place despite finishing bottom of the league.

Meanwhile, in SWPL 2, which features eight teams, Boroughmuir Thistle face Kilmarnock on the opening day, while St Johnstone take on Queen’s Park.

Opening day fixtures in full:

SWPL 1

Celtic v Hibernian
Dundee United v Motherwell
Glasgow City v Spartans
Hamilton Accies v Aberdeen
Heart of Midlothian v Partick Thistle
Rangers v Glasgow Women

SWPL 2

Boroughmuir Thistle v Kilmarnock
Gartcairn v East Fife
Montrose v Stirling University
St. Johnstone v Queen’s Park