WSL partners with Airbnb
The Women’s Super League (WSL) has announced a new multi-year partnership with online marketplace for short-and-long-term homestays, Airbnb, who will become the Official Accommodation and Unique Experiences Partner of the WSL and WSL 2. Airbnb will support the WSL and WSL 2 clubs and launched a ‘£1 million fund to help players fund short term accommodation during the transfer window.’ Airbnb will provide eligible players with the access to the fun which will help the players during transfer windows, giving them a home as they relocate between clubs and settle into new teams, new cities and new communities.
Zarah Al-Kudcy, Chief Revenue Officer, WSL Football, commented,
“We aim to put the players and fans at the heart of everything we do and the partnership with Airbnb showcases this. Building an away fan culture is integral to the growth of the game and Airbnb want to support our clubs and fans with this, from accommodation through to experiences. “And as the transfer market continues to evolve, we also want to support players and clubs by removing a potential area of friction when players find themselves in new locations for the first time. With two more clubs in the BWSL for the 2026/27 season, we expect to see even more movement this summer.”
Lisa Marcais, General Manager for Northern Europe and MEA at Airbnb, said,
“The transfer window is a huge moment in a player’s life that can cause disruption. The Player Accommodation Fund is our practical commitment to helping with some of the associated costs. This partnership goes beyond the transfer window – we want to elevate the women’s game, and celebrate the fans that come together around a shared passion. BWSL and BWSL2 fans regularly make weekends of away fixtures, travelling to new cities to follow their teams, and helping people feel at home somewhere new is what Airbnb does best. We’re excited to be part of the women’s football movement and support the game, fans, and community on and off the pitch.”
Fara Williams, former England player, added,
“One of the major issues when moving between clubs is finding suitable accommodation during the transition period. During one of my moves, I had to initially stay with the manager until I was able to secure permanent accommodation, because at that time, players were often not paid enough to comfortably rent suitable housing immediately. As a result, we frequently relied on informal arrangements, such as staying with friends, teammates, or club staff. In my own experience, I also had periods where I was effectively living out of a suitcase, which meant I had to pay for storage for my belongings. An arrangement that was far from ideal and added unnecessary stress. This is where initiatives like the Airbnb Player Accommodation Fund can make a real difference. By providing safe, short-term accommodation options, players are able to settle more quickly and focus on their performance on the pitch, rather than off-field logistical challenges.”
