Magpies to learn Subway Women's League Cup opponents on Thursday

The 15th season of the competition sees 21 teams from across the Barclays Women's Super League and Barclays Women's Super League 2 enter at the group stage which is split into northern and southern sections.

And the Magpies will be number seven in the draw, which will be conducted live on BBC Radio 5Live Breakfast by former England international Toni Duggan on Thursday, 31st July from approximately 8.30am BST.

Last season was the first time Becky Langley's side had taken part in the competition. They were handed a difficult group which saw them face WSL outfits Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton before exiting.

The Subway Women's League Cup is the first domestic trophy up for grabs each season, with Chelsea - who beat Manchester City at Pride Park to lift the trophy in March - the current holders.

The ball numbers for the northern section draw are as follows: 1. Liverpool

2. Durham

3. Nottingham Forest

4. Manchester City

5. Sunderland

6. Everton

7. Newcastle United

8. Sheffield United

The first four numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group A. The remaining and last four numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group B.

There will then be a southern draw involving the following teams and ball numbers: 1. Leicester City

2. Portsmouth

3. Tottenham Hotspur

4. London City Lionesses

5. Aston Villa

6. Charlton Athletic

7. Brighton & Hove Albion

8. Ipswich Town

9. Birmingham City

10. West Ham United

11. Southampton

12. Bristol City

13. Crystal Palace

The first five numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group C. The next four numbers drawn out of the bag will be placed in Group D.

The remaining and final four numbers drawn out of the bag will be placed in Group E.

The dates for the group stage matches are as follows: - 24th/25th September

- 8th/9th October (Group C matches only)

- 18th/19th October

- 12th/13th November (Group C matches only)

- 22nd/23rd November

Following the completion of the group stages, the first placed team from each group will progress to the quarter-finals which will be held across December 20th and 21st, before the semi-finals take place over January 21st and 22nd 2026.

The final will be contested on the weekend of March 15th and 16th 2026, with details including the date, kick-off time and venue to be confirmed in due course.

Arsenal and Chelsea will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage due to their involvement in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL).

Additionally, should Manchester United exit the UWCL and fail to qualify for the UEFA Women's Europa League, they will enter the Subway Women's League Cup at the group stage with an additional draw required to determine if they will join Group A or Group B.