The Women's League Cup will be rebranded as the Players Cup and switch to a regionalised league format from the 2026-27 season, following a vote by Women's Super League (WSL) and WSL 2 clubs last November aimed at easing fixture congestion and protecting player welfare. Crucially, the new format excludes clubs competing in the Women's Champions League, meaning holders Chelsea, champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal will not take part this term. As only Arsenal, Chelsea and City have ever won the competition, their absence guarantees the trophy gets a first-time winner in 2026-27.

The remaining 23 top-flight clubs are split into Northern and Southern sections, playing within one overall table between September and December on European fixture nights, with each side facing three home and three away regional matches. Drawn games go to penalty shootouts, with winners earning two points and losers one; the top eight advance to January's quarter-finals, followed by single-leg semi-finals and a final at a neutral venue on 13-14 March. WSL chief revenue officer Zarah Al-Kudcy said the changes aim to give young and fringe players more meaningful minutes and address the disparity in fixture loads between clubs in Europe and those without, with fixtures due to be announced on 6 August.