Manchester City Women’s ‘firsts’ over the years | OneFootball

Manchester City Women have consistently broken new ground on and off the pitch.

And the Club’s new brand platform evolution is the latest reflection of that drive, introduced ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

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Designed to create a stronger and more distinctive presence for the Club to engage new fans, it also celebrates our storied past, maintaining our unique character and strengthening our exciting ambitions.

City come into the new season as WSL and FA Cup champions, with a return to UEFA Champions League action another tantalising prospect for Andrée Jeglertz’s side.

The new platform – and its centrepiece ‘It Takes a City’ – is about everything that makes Manchester City Women who we are, a shared drive that continues to unite players, fans, staff and communities.

Some of the below achievements over the years wouldn’t have been possible without that mindset…

Manchester City officially relaunched in January 2014, a quarter of a century on from the formation of our original Ladies’ team.

High-profile signings such as Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Toni Duggan, Karen Bardsley, Betsy Hassett and Izzy Christiansen were all introduced, alongside existing members of City’s Ladies team ahead of our first WSL season in the spring.

Later that season, City became the first English club to make our players full-time professionals, and we’d go on to win major silverware in our maiden campaign.

Rather poetically, it was Izzy Christiansen – a marquee signing of the professional era – who headed home a cross by Krystle Johnston – a key pillar from our original Ladies team – in that 1-0 League Cup final win over Arsenal.

It’s not just been on the pitch where City have looked to innovate over the years, though.

In October 2022, the Club became the first in the WSL to move away from white shorts to help our players feel comfortable playing while on their periods.

City and kit manufacturers PUMA brought the originally planned change forward from the start of the 2023/24 campaign into immediate effect, with Burgundy shorts first on show in a League Cup win over Blackburn Rovers.

Four members of our youth system also made their senior bow that evening – once again emphasising City’s desire to nurture the best homegrown talent into the First Team.

Less than 12 months later and City would break new ground once again when rebranding our home as the Joie Stadium.

Baby gear brand Joie became our Women’s Team’s official Family Partner and Stadium Naming Partner in September 2023, changing the name of the Academy Stadium to the Joie in the process.

In doing so, City became the first Barclays Women’s Super League club to secure a commercial agreement for its stadium naming rights.

The desire to consistently push the boundaries and light the way has continued to gather momentum, with our First Team Facility a world leader in purpose-built facilities in the Women’s game.

Officially opening in May 2026, the building sets the standard for elite football environments, with industry-leading technology, a world class gym, specialist strength and conditioning, medical, rehab and physio facilities all available to our first team players.

Once again though, its circular dressing room and open plan lounge and dining area encapsulate that inherent City spirit – where the collective is celebrated.

It’s no surprise to learn those facilities are already paying dividends, with the Blues claiming a WSL and FA Cup double for the first time in our history at the end of the 2025/26 campaign – our most successful season to date.

We also maintained a 100% record on home soil across the WSL campaign – a feat we’d never previously achieved as a professional outfit.

Our past is storied and a key part of our identity but the future – and our continued desire to light the way in women’s football and our community - is burning brighter than ever.