The FA has confirmed the final day of the Women's Super League season is to be moved to avoid a clash with the men's Premier League fixtures.
Both the men's and women's top-flights were initially set to reach their climax on Sunday May 28, with the WSL's six final-day fixtures slated to kick off at 2pm and all Premier League games kicking off at 4.30pm.
The possibilty of moving the WSL fixtures was first mooted earlier this year, with governing bodies and broadcasters keen to maximise the exposure of the league's season finale after a record-breaking year for the women's game.
And the FA has now revealed the WSL will be brought forwards by 23 hours, with all fixtures kicking off at 3pm on Saturday May 27. Broadcast details for the final day will be announced in due course.
The last two seasons have seen the WSL title race go to the final day and the stage looks set for a similar outcome this time round, with reigning champions Chelsea and London rivals Arsenal both in the hunt alongside Manchester City and Manchester United.
It's a similarly close run affair at the other end of the table, with just five points separating eighth-placed Liverpool and bottom-of-the-league Leicester City and five sides battling it out to avoid the league's sole relegation spot.
Kelly Simmons, Director of the Women’s Professional Game, said: "This has unquestionably been our biggest season ever across the Barclays Women’s Super League and the Barclays Women’s Championship, and the I have no doubt the next few months are going to be even more exciting
"It’s been a thrilling season so far and we have seen some incredible matches. The end of the campaign is an important moment for us to recognise all that has been achieved over the season, so I cannot wait to see how it plays out and who we are celebrating, and commiserating, come the end of May."
The Barclays Women’s Super League fixtures on the final day of the season include:
- Arsenal v Aston Villa
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City
- Liverpool v Manchester United
- Manchester City v Everton
- Reading v Chelsea
- West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
The final day of the Barclays Women’s Championship season will be held on Sunday April 30, with all matches kicking off at 2pm. The Barclays Women’s Championship fixtures on the final day of the season include:
- Lewes v Durham
- Birmingham City v Bristol City
- Charlton Athletic v Crystal Palace
- London City Lionesses v Coventry United
- Southampton v Sheffield United
- Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
