SWPL play-off final details confirmed

The Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) is pleased to confirm that the 2022/23 SWPL play-off finals will be held at Broadwood Stadium on Sunday 4^th June.

The first ever play-off matches will also be broadcast live on BBC ALBA, starting with the first final at 12:10 and concluding with the second game at 16:10.

The opening match will see the runners-up of the SWF Championship face the side finishing 7^th in the Parks Motor Group SWPL 2 for a place in SWPL 2 next season. The runner-up of SWPL 2 will meet the side finishing 11^th in the Parks Motor Group SWPL for a place in the top league next season.

In the SWF Championship, it looks like a two horse-race to reach the play-off final between Renfrew and Rossvale, with the sides separated by three points with three games remaining. Livingston are top of the table, eight points clear of second-placed Renfrew, and could secure automatic promotion with one more win.

In the Parks Motor Group SWPL 2, Stirling University are 14 points adrift of sixth-placed Queen’s Park and nine points clear of bottom placed East Fife. With five games left, Gartcairn are second with a two point lead over Kilmarnock and are three points ahead of St Johnstone. Seven points behind second place are Boroughmuir Thistle and Queen’s Park.

Hamilton Academical find themselves five points adrift of Dundee United in eleventh place in the Parks Motor Group SWPL, with the two sides meeting on Sunday. Aberdeen will have one eye over their shoulder, though they are now eight points clear of Hamilton after back-to-back victories, with six games remaining.

Fiona McIntyre, SWPL Managing Director, said: “We look forward to concluding an exciting 2022/23 season with these play-off final matches. The format of the one-legged ties adds drama and tension that I have no doubt will result in absorbing football and a momentous occasion for all involved.

“We’re also delighted to confirm that both of these matches will be shown live by BBC ALBA. This is a strong signal of the growing strength and interest in women’s football in Scotland as we expand the level of coverage throughout the game.

“Broadwood Stadium provides a great backdrop for these matches which has played host to a number of historic moments in the women’s game, including Glasgow City’s title victory in 2021.

Aileen Campbell, CEO of Scottish Women’s Football, said:  “The new Championship as a national league has been fiercely competitive and we’ve seen throughout this exciting season that our clubs are ambitious to increase their visibility and progress up the leagues. That’s why it is fantastic that the play-off will be televised, showing all clubs throughout the pyramid what they can aim for – a place in the prestigious SWPL.”

Fiona Mackenzie, BBC ALBA Sport Executive Producer, said: “After what has been a really exciting season, and a jam-packed sports schedule, BBC ALBA are delighted to be showing these play-offs as we continue our support of the women’s game in Scotland.”