Chelsea Ladies face Doncaster Rovers Belles in Women's Super League opener
Wednesday 27 January 2016 12:59, UK
Champions Chelsea face newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers Belles in their opening fixture of the new Women's Super League season.
The Blues begin their title defence on March 24, in what will be the league's sixth season, 24 hours after the competition's opening fixture between second-division title winners Reading and Arsenal.
Last season's runners-up Manchester City will host Notts County, while Liverpool will face Birmingham City, with both fixtures also being played on opening night on March 23.
The top flight has been expanded for the first time for 2016, with Sunderland facing Reading in their first game the following weekend on March 26, and it will increase further to 10 teams in 2017.
In the WSL2, newly-promoted sides Sheffield FC and Bristol City will host Durham and Yeovil respectively in their first games.
London Bees host Watford, while Everton will play Aston Villa and Millwall Lionesses will travel to Oxford United on the Thursday.
The league will take a mid-season break from May 26 until June 25, and the final round of fixtures will take place on November 6.
FA director of football participation and development, Kelly Simmons, said: "We're set for another really exciting season and the opening week's fixtures demonstrate just that.
"Last season was a real landmark for women's football in general. We saw record attendances and the awareness and positivity around the game really grow, and the WSL clubs played a huge part in this.
"It will be a big challenge to continue this momentum without the attention that a major tournament like the World Cup generates, but we are confident that the supporter base and interest in the league is strong, and that we'll see even more growth in 2016."
Opening round fixtures:
Wednesday March 23: (WSL1) Manchester City v Notts County, Liverpool v Birmingham City, Arsenal v Reading, (WSL2) Bristol City v Yeovil Town, Sheffield FC v Durham, London Bees v Watford
Thursday March 24: (WSL1) Doncaster Rovers Belles v Chelsea, (WSL2) Everton v Aston Villa, Oxford United v Millwall Lionesses
