The trial will apply to Women's Super League (WSL) and League Cup fixtures only and reflects both growing fan demand and the successful implementation of similar trials across selected WSL League 2 clubs last season.

Drinking In The Bowl will commence when Chelsea Women play Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, with the match taking place the weekend of 5-7 September.

This season’s trial will be operated on a flexible basis, with the locations where alcohol can be taken into the seating area to be reviewed and scaled up or down depending on the nature of the match and the timing of kick-off. At this stage, in-bowl drinking will not be permitted during FA Cup or UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures.

As the trial commences, fans will be able to enjoy alcohol responsibly in the West Stand and within hospitality areas at Stamford Bridge. At Kingsmeadow, supporters can drink alcohol in seats throughout Blocks A – H. At both grounds drinks will be decanted into reusable cups, which the club requests are returned to help support our sustainability efforts in limiting the presence of single-use plastics.

Pre-match and half-time refreshments will be available throughout the grounds for supporters in line with a usual matchday offering.

To accommodate fans who prefer a dry environment, the East Lower stand will continue to serve as the designated Family Stand at Stamford Bridge, where alcohol consumption in the seating area will remain prohibited. At Kingsmeadow, Blocks J to M in the West Stand will remain alcohol-free.

The club has worked closely with supporter groups, our Safety Advisory Group and local authorities throughout the planning stages of this initiative. Collective input has been central to shaping a trial that prioritises fan choice while maintaining a strong focus on safety and inclusivity.

The pilot follows special events at Stamford Bridge when in-bowl drinking was permitted at Soccer Aid for UNICEF in 2019 and 2024 along with Chelsea Foundation's Legends match in 2023, demonstrating the club's ability to manage the experience safely and effectively.

Tracy Brown, Chelsea Fan Advisory Board member, said: ‘The Fan Advisory Board is pleased to support the introduction of drinking trials at Chelsea FC Women's matches at Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge. This initiative represents a progressive step toward improving the matchday experience for our dedicated supporters while maintaining the safety and community atmosphere that makes women's football so special.’

A Chelsea FC Women spokesperson added: ‘We are always looking at ways to extend fans’ matchday experiences, and as a trial project, Drinking In The Bowl provides the option to enjoy a drink while watching games at Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge. We have seen alcohol in-bowl at previous events and know many supporters will welcome it. We will continue to monitor and assess its success alongside supporter feedback and operational information. Safety remains our first priority, and we will adapt the approach as needed over the course of the season.’

Chelsea FC Women is one of several WSL clubs taking part in this coordinated trial, which has the full support of the league and relevant authorities.

Fans will be kept informed throughout the season regarding the efficacy of the trial, and any decision on extending the areas in which fans can drink alcohol will be reviewed and announced as the season progresses.