Deloitte Women's Premier League returns for 2nd season with 3 more teams
Most matches to be played at Chua Chu Kang Stadium, with admission to all games free to the public
SINGAPORE — Following a promising start to the inaugural season last year, the Deloitte Women's Premier League (WPL) will return to action this month with three additional teams to make it a 10-team league competition.
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said in a media release on Thursday (2 March) that two existing clubs will return to the top-flight women's league: Tampines Rovers, who last played in 2016, and Police Sports Association, last year's Women's National League champions.
Meanwhile, Geylang International's women's team will be making their debut this season, which will kick off on 18 March (Saturday).
The majority of matches will be played at the newly-renovated Chua Chu Kang Stadium, with the rest being played at Yishun Stadium and Our Tampines Hub. Admission to all matches is free to the public.
Season to be played from 18 March to 26 November
Besides the three new clubs, the other seven teams in the inaugural WPL season will be returning: defending champions Lion City Sailors, Tanjong Pagar United, Hougang United, Balestier Khalsa, Albirex Niigata, Still Aerion Women’s FC and Tiong Bahru FC.
The season will commence will a triple-header on 18 March. Last season's runners-up Albirex Niigata will meet Tiong Bahru at 5pm at Chua Chu Kang Stadium, before Geylang International take on Tampines Rovers at 7.30pm. Balestier Khalsa will also be facing Tanjong Pagar United at Yishun Stadium at 5pm.
On 19 March at Chua Chu Kang Stadium, Hougang United will square off against Still Aerion at 5pm, before Lion City Sailors open their title defence against Police Sports Association at 7.30pm.
The WPL will continue to operate on a home and away round-robin format from 18 March to 26 November. It will take a break during the Fifa international windows, the SEA Games and the Asian Games to allow the players to represent the country.
Teams can register up to 25 players, with a maximum of four foreigners. Deloitte Singapore is set to continue to be the title sponsor for the league for the second year running.
The WPL prize pool for this year will continue to see the league champions to be awarded $25,000, while runners-up and third-placed teams will receive $10,000 and $7,500 respectively.
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