Key numbers ahead of the 2023-24 WSL campaign

The Women's Super League returns on Sunday and all eyes will be on champions Chelsea as they bid for a FIFTH successive title. 

But Emma Hayes' side are likely to face a fierce challenge from Manchester United, who finished runners-up last season, and London rivals Arsenal. 

Manchester City will also fancy their chances of challenging for the top while Aston Villa could be dark horses after their impressive 2022-23 campaign. 

Here, we take a look at the key numbers ahead of the new season. 

4 – Consecutive titles for Chelsea, with a record six in total. 

4 – Teams to have won the WSL, with three titles for Arsenal, two for Liverpool and one for Manchester City.

58 – Hayes' side set a new record points total in last season's success. Manchester United's 56 was also the most without winning the title. 

11 – The last two relegated teams, Reading last season and Birmingham in 2021-22, have recorded just 11 points, the lowest in the current 22-game season format. 

0 – Reading went through the campaign without picking up a single point away from home. 

22 – The record for goals in a WSL season, set by Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema in 2018-19 and matched last term by Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly. 

78 – Miedema is the competition's record scorer, despite missing much of last season with a knee ligament injury. She also has a record five hat-tricks.

11-1 – Arsenal’s 2019 win over Bristol City came by a record scoreline for the competition. Miedema scored six and added four assists. 

183 – Kerys Harrop's record WSL appearance total — 135 for Birmingham and 48 for Tottenham — before retiring during the summer. Chelsea's Sophie Ingle goes into the new season just five behind Harrop's record. 

170 – Percentage rise in WSL attendances last season, according to the competition's official website. That came on the back of England's Euro 2022 success, with the Lionesses then going on to reach the World Cup final. 

47,367 – Arsenal's win over Tottenham at the Emirates set a WSL attendance record. 

3 – Of the opening weekend's six games, three will be staged at Premier League grounds — Aston Villa vs Manchester United at Villa Park, Arsenal vs Liverpool at the Emirates and Chelsea vs Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.