The FA Women's League Cup is a league cup competition, also known as the FA Women's Continental League Cup. The Conti Cup, as referred to by the FA, is a 23-team competition made up of the 12 FA Women's Super League teams and the 11 FA Women's Championship sides.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the 2020-21 season was set back, forcing the Conti Cup to shorten its format. In an effort to reduce the number of fixtures, the previous format that consisted of four groups – each group with six teams and one with five to meet the total of 23 teams – has been changed to six groups of four teams except for one group with three teams to suit the total of 23 teams.
When will the 2020/21 FA Women's Continental League Cup begin?
The 2020/21 FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The action will start with Manchester United taking on Liverpool at 9 a.m. ET.
Which teams will participate in the 2020/21 FA Women's Continental League Cup?
Twenty-three teams take part in the 2020/21 FA Women's Conti Cup. The teams are divided into six groups, with four teams competing in five groups and three in the remaining group to meet a total of 23 teams.
Group A
- Aston Villa
- Coventry United
- Durham
- Sheffield United
Group B
- Arsenal
- Chelsea
- London City Lionesses
- Tottenham Hotspur
Group C
- Everton
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
Group D
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Charlton Athletic
- Reading
- West Ham United
Group E
- Birmingham City
- Blackburn Rovers
- Leicester City
Group F
- Bristol City
- Crystal Palace
- Lewes
- London Bees
Who are the winningest team and the defending champions?
Only three different teams have won the FA Women's League Cup since its inception in 2011. Arsenal are the winningest team in this competition with a total of five titles, followed by Manchester City with two, and Chelsea with one. However, it was Emma Hayes' Chelsea who won the 2019-20 Conti Cup in their first-ever final appearance. The Blues defeated Arsenal, denying the rivals of their sixth title in this competition.
What are the key matches?
Group Stage 1
Chelsea vs. Arsenal – The biggest London rivalry will kick-start the Conti Cup on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. ET, at Kingsmeadow.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United – Liverpool will try to prove that they are at the FA WSL level when they take on Manchester United at Prenton Park on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. ET.
Manchester City vs. Everton – FA WSL top teams will go head to head at Academy Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m. ET.
Group stage 2
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur – This London rivalry game will take place at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. ET.
Everton vs. Manchester United – Two teams that are on the same mission – catch up to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City – will meet at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. ET.
Liverpool vs. Manchester City – This fixture will be held at Prenton Park and will start at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
West Ham United vs. Reading – This fixture between FA WSL sides will take place at Dagenham on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Group Stage 3
Arsenal vs. Tottenham – The young London rivalry is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET, at Meadow Park.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Reading – The two FA WSL sides will face-off on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET, at The People's Pension Stadium.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City – Group stage fixtures will close with the Manchester Derby on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. ET, at Leigh Sports Village.
What are the key dates for the 2020/21 FA Women's Continental League Cup?
So far, only the three rounds of group stage fixtures have been announced.
Group Stage 1: Oct. 7-8, 2020
Group Stage 2: Nov. 3-5, 2020
Group Stage 3: Nov. 18-19, 2020
Which channels/online streaming services will broadcast the 2020/21 FA Women's Continental League Cup?
Certain games will be available for fans to watch. Make sure you keep up with the FA WSL twitter page to stay informed or our FA Women's League Cup competition page.
The FA Player, MUTV and LFCTV will broadcast Liverpool taking on Manchester United at Prenton Park on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. ET.
