It was announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the Blues would be moving away from Kingsmeadow and calling the Bridge home when we host WSL matches next term. It is another significant step in the team's evolution.

Bompastor and her players have celebrated memorable moments at the stadium over the past two seasons, from a dramatic Champions League triumph over Manchester City in March 2025 – which the Blues head coach described as 'the perfect night' – to lifting the WSL trophy in front of 20,000 supporters at the end of last season.

More of these experiences are wanted by Bompastor, who has given her word to Chelsea fans that every effort will be made to reward their support with further exceptional performances and silverware as we embark on a new chapter in west London.

‘The most important thing as a player and a manager is to share your emotions with the fans,’ she explained.

'‘For me to play all the games in this stadium next season is really motivational and so exciting for us. We will give our all, as we have done already, but that extra motivation will come when we have the opportunity to lift a trophy in this stadium. That’s part of what we want to create.

‘We have been talking about growing and improving – and this move gives us the opportunity to grow our fan base. That’s what we want to do.

'For that, I know my job will be to make sure we are successful, putting really good performances on the pitch, to win as many games as we can so that we bring as many fans as we can.’

Bompastor understands that now is the time for Chelsea Women to take this next step, and insists it's only right that her players can showcase their elite skills in front of the biggest audiences. For that, there’s nowhere better than Stamford Bridge.

‘Chelsea are really ambitious, and we want to make sure we stay at the top of the game and at the top in terms of the clubs. The women’s game is growing, and we need to make sure we follow and also initiate that curve.

‘We want to be top in what we do on and off the pitch, and I think it’s the right time for us to do that.

‘Even if we’ve already achieved a lot as a club, I think we still have room for improvement. Being able to offer the best experience for the fans, but also for the players who want to play in the biggest stadiums.

‘The Bridge is a really historic stadium where we have already made a lot of memories, and we want to create a really special experience for our fans. Giving them the chance to come to the Bridge, and bringing even more fans to our games, we are really excited to be part of that journey.’

With any change, there comes a moment to reflect on what has come before and acknowledge the role that the past has played in building for the future.

Kingsmeadow has done exactly that; it's a stadium that helped connect with a core group of supporters who have been cheering us on since day one.

Bompastor was aware of Chelsea’s prowess well before she arrived at the club in 2024, and was keen to pay tribute to those who came before her.

‘Kingsmeadow has been a really nice stadium for us,’ she continued. ‘I think it’s important to mention that. I’ve been here two years now, and I’ve already created a lot of memories there with the players and staff.

‘Even before I arrived here, I remember watching games at Kingsmeadow on TV, and there were some great matches from Fran Kirby, some great goals from Sam Kerr, and also Karen Carney. I played a lot against her!

‘What Emma (Hayes) did in that stadium was huge. There’s so much history, so much success in that stadium, and that’s what we want to continue doing because that’s what’s needed for the club to stay successful and create the same atmosphere in the new stadium.

‘It’s about making sure we keep that as part of the DNA of the club and making sure that we bring the fans with us, even those who are used to being at Kingsmeadow. We want them to come along with us and make new history here at Stamford Bridge.’

Bompastor has championed the move to Stamford Bridge with her players in mind, knowing that they love playing in front of the crowds in our famous stadium.

The Blues have put together an open letter to supporters to describe what this move means to them, and the head coach confirmed their excitement following Wednesday’s announcement.

While the current squad will feel the benefit of playing all their league matches at Stamford Bridge, it is a testament to all of our former players for putting us in a position to get there.

‘The players have played a big part because obviously they are the most important people in this project,’ she continued. ‘They are the ones who are on the pitch. They are all really excited about the news.

‘When you are a player, you want to play in stadiums where you can bring the most fans possible, and you want to be winning games in a great atmosphere. That’s what we want to create for the future. That’s really exciting.

‘They deserve it, because they have been working so hard. The ones who are playing for the club right now, but also all the ones who have played for the club (in the past). They did so well to put us in this position now where we can win.

‘Our role at Chelsea is to push things even further. It’s exciting to be at a club who are pushing everyone forward.’