Chelsea vs. Manchester United, Women’s League Cup final: Preview, team news, how to watch

Bristol’s Ashton Gate will stage the 2026 FA Women’s League Cup final on Sunday, March 14, with kick-off set for 14:15 GMT (09:15 EST), and the weather is expected to be wet and breezy. Reigning champions Chelsea, who pride themselves on meeting the game’s highest standards season after season, face a Manchester United side determined to atone for a narrow FA Cup fifth-round exit at Kingsmeadow only three weeks ago. That tie finished 2-1 to Chelsea after extra time, yet United pushed the holders all the way and will take heart from the manner in which they matched the Blues for long spells.

Chelsea enter the weekend boosted by the probable return of three key defenders. The recent international hiatus has allowed Kadeisha Buchanan, Mille Bright and Natalie Björn to step up their recoveries, though the news is less encouraging in attack: forwards Mayra Ramírez and Catarina Macario remain ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Manager Emma Hayes will hope the reinforcements at the back provide the platform for another trophy lift, something her squad achieved against United in this competition four years ago with a 3-1 quarter-final victory.

United, coached by Marc Skinner, travel to the West Country with reinforcements of their own. Full-backs Fridolina Rolfo and Jayde Riviere have been declared fit after injury lay-offs, while Anna Sandberg and Ella Toone have not recovered in time. The Red Devils’ goalkeeper was outstanding in the recent cup loss and will need to be at her best again to keep out a Chelsea attack that found a way through in extra-time last month.

Sunday’s final will be screened live in the UK on BBC One and Sky Sports, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer and Sky GO. U.S.-based viewers can follow the action on ESPN+ and fuboTV.

Chelsea have knocked United out of this tournament before; United believe they are now ready to turn the tables. One more meeting, one more trophy on the line—women’s football’s first major silverware of 2026 will be settled under the Ashton Gate lights.