The 2026 Women's Football Awards, launched in 2022 in partnership with Metro, took place at the Chancery Rosewood London in Mayfair. Jamie Carragher co-hosted for the fourth successive year alongside Gabby Logan. David Beckham backed the awards, which are described as the biggest celebration of their kind in Europe.
Previous winners include Alessia Russo and Mary Earps. Bunny Shaw, who scored 19 goals in 21 WSL games, won Player of the Year. Manchester City won Club of the Year after securing their first league title in 10 years.
This night has just continued to flourish, hasn't it.
Maya Le Tissier also received an award. Bethany England was named Inspirational Role Model, Kelly Cates won Media Figure of the Year (voted for by the public), and Nikita Parris received the Game Changer award. Debbie Hewitt MBE was named Women's Football Champion, and Mo Marley received the Lifetime Achievement award.
A Special Tribute was paid to Matt Beard. Special Recognition awards went to Charlotte O'Neill, Maria Karlsson de Cecco, Orreco, and Manchester Corinthians. Corporate honors included Adobe (Brand of the Year), Adidas (Global Impact Award), Chelsea (Best Marketing Campaign), the Premier League (Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility), and Liverpool (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award).
Over the last decade or so, women's football feels like it's getting bigger and bigger each year, and it's been great to play my part with this night.
SHEIN is the headline partner, with DSV, ScottishPower, and Destinology as partners. Destinology provided complimentary holiday packages for some winners. Bunny Shaw is set to win a third successive WSL Golden Boot but looks set to leave Manchester City this summer after talks stalled over a new contract.
Chelsea are favourites to sign her, reportedly offering at least one more year than City and up to £1m a year. City manager Andree Jeglertz hopes Shaw signs a new contract.
It's similar to the men's Premier League – you want the best of everything. You want the best players in the world, the best managers but also a pathway for young English players and obviously young English girls as well.
The Women's Football Awards is an incredible event. The stories we celebrated reflect a game that is evolving at an incredible pace.
This was another brilliant night that showed just how far the women's game has come. The quality across every category was outstanding, and it's clear the growth of the sport isn't slowing down any time soon.
The level of support women's football is getting now is brilliant. When you see major brands and organisations like Shein, Destinology, DSV and Scottish Power getting behind events like this, it shows just how far the game has come and where it's heading.
Kelly's the gold standard – she's got that rare mix of authority, warmth and sharpness that makes everyone else raise their game.