The fixture, which is set to be played over the weekend of 10/11 December, will be the third time our women’s first team have played at the Etihad.
City hosted Everton there back in May 2014, before welcoming our local rivals in September 2019, when Caroline Weir’s wonder strike saw us run out 1-0 winners in front of what was then a WSL record crowd, and what remains a club record of 31, 213 fans.
Specific details regarding the match such as date and kick-off time will be confirmed in due course, but supporters can already purchase their tickets online or over the phone, with all home games for our women’s first team currently on sale.
“This is amazing news and something to look forward to for the new season,” said Head Coach Gareth Taylor.
“For the derby at the Academy Stadium earlier this year, it was amazing to see a sell-out crowd there and the demand for tickets was unbelievable.
“A Manchester derby always has a little added spice, but to bring it back to the Etihad again – especially with the growth of the league over the last few seasons - will bring it to another level.”
Captain Steph Houghton added: “Playing the derby in front of over 31,000 people back in 2019 is one of my favourite moments of my City career, without a doubt.
“The atmosphere that the fans created was just amazing and it was a day to remember for all of us who were involved.
“As much as the Academy Stadium is our home and it was just incredible to see it sold out for the derby last season, having a bigger venue such as the Etihad Stadium will hopefully allow people who missed out last time to experience our Manchester derby in all its glory.”
Managing Director Gavin Makel concluded: “We’re so pleased to be able to return to the Etihad for another local derby – we broke records that day as a Club and as a league, and it was a real tentpole moment.
“Since the last time we played there, the profile of the Women’s Super League has grown at pace and the game is in an incredibly exciting place.
“Especially after such an amazing summer for women’s football, we are very much looking forward to seeing as many people as possible – both current supporters and newcomers – for what is sure to be another momentous occasion.”
