Teams prepare as new SWPL season set for big kick-off after record breaking 22/23 campaign

The SWPL is preparing for a new season and looking to ‘raise the bar’ after last term’s record breaking campaign.

With Sunday’s kick-off fast approaching excitement is building amongst the clubs and supporters who are hoping the 2023/24 season can match, or even surpass, the drama of last year.

Eventual champions Glasgow City took it right to the wire with a three-way final day decider with Celtic and Rangers that went right to the last minute.

A late winner at Ibrox meant City were crowned ahead of second placed Celtic despite their victory over Hearts in a dramatic last round of league fixtures.

Rangers finished third before losing to their Old Firm rivals in the Scottish Cup final a week later.

As well as the excitement on the pitch, new attendance records were set across the board.

A new all-time record was set twice at Celtic Park as Hibs, Rangers and Hearts also set new club bests at Easter Road, Ibrox and Tynecastle.

The Scottish Cup final was also played in-front of a cup final record crowd at Hampden in May as the women’s game continues to grow to new heights.

On Sunday, Partick Thistle and Dundee United meet at Petershill Stadium in the first live televised game of the campaign before Aberdeen host Motherwell, Glasgow City play Hibs, Hearts travel to Hamilton, Partick Thistle play Dundee United.

Rangers travel to Spartans and Montrose host Celtic for their opening game.

And with the Women’s World Cup being held during the summer, with representation from the big three in Australia and New Zealand, and Celtic and Glasgow City both involved in the Champions League, this season has potential to even bigger and better.

The league’s managing director Fiona McIntyre said: “We should all be really excited, we can’t guarantee the final day drama, that was something quite unique last year, although we are hopeful we will get something similar in terms of level of competition.

“But that is what we are here to do. A lot of people have said to me that the second album is always the hardest and that is very true, but that is the challenge that we take on.

“We are absolutely looking to drive audiences in grounds, audiences in television and really elevate the game to new levels.

“Last year was very much a big step that we all took to this new model of the SWPL and it was a bit of a standing start for us because we had to do things very quickly.

“So it’s really nice going into this campaign with a really strong platform, so we are just looking forward to raising the bar.

“In women’s football if you stand still you are moving backwards at the moment because everything is moving the one way so we need to make sure we are at the front of that pack and do everything we can.”