Manchester United and Aston Villa Set for World Sevens Football London Showdown

When Manchester United's Marc Skinner walked off the pitch after losing last summer's World Sevens final, his message was crystal clear: "If we're not invited back, I'm going to be mad." Well, they're returning. And this time around, the tournament is landing right in their own neighbourhood.

World Sevens Football has officially announced its inaugural London tournament, scheduled for May 28-30 at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium. Manchester United and Aston Villa have been unveiled as the opening two participants in an eight-team Women's Super League competition, with CAD $2 million in prize money up for grabs.

An Exclusive WSL Showcase

This London edition marks a significant departure from previous tournaments that featured clubs spanning Europe, North America, and South America. Instead, organizers have opted for an all-WSL lineup. Co-founder Jen Mackesy explained the strategic decision, emphasizing the goal of crafting an experience "tailored to their clubs, their players, and their fans."

The blueprint remains consistent with earlier successful editions: 30-minute matches, unlimited rolling substitutions, and a compact natural-grass playing surface. However, the competitive landscape intensifies with all eight participants drawn from England's top flight, ensuring built-in rivalries and tactical familiarity in every fixture.

The tournament's scheduling carries added significance. Concluding on May 30, it sits just one day before the Adobe Women's FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. For supporters planning a women's football weekend in London, this presents an exceptional opportunity to catch elite action across consecutive days.

What Manchester United and Aston Villa Bring to the Pitch

Manchester United enters the tournament following a campaign where their Manchester neighbours have dominated headlines. With Manchester City poised to capture their first WSL championship in ten years, United's domestic season appears destined to conclude without silverware. The club's football operations director, Ameesh Manek, described the tournament as "an excellent format" — though their runner-up finish from last year's edition adds extra motivation to claim the title this time.

Aston Villa's participation carries particular weight for a club actively establishing its presence in England's elite division. Competing against seven fellow top-flight sides for substantial prize money provides precisely the platform Villa needs to elevate their profile on the national stage.

While the remaining six WSL clubs haven't been revealed, the combination of CAD $2 million in prizes and a home audience guarantees intense competition. Bayern Munich captured the inaugural Portuguese edition, while San Diego FC claimed victory in Florida. Now the WSL has an opportunity to demonstrate its standing among global women's football competitions.

  • Tournament dates: May 28-30, 2025
  • Location: Gtech Community Stadium, West London
  • Match format: Seven-a-side, 30-minute duration, unlimited substitutions
  • Total prize pool: CAD $2 million
  • Announced participants: Manchester United, Aston Villa (six additional teams forthcoming)
  • Public ticket sales: April 14 at 10:00 AM through worldsevens.com

Members can access presale tickets beginning April 13 at 10:00 AM. Both single-day passes and complete three-day packages will be offered. Broadcasting arrangements will be confirmed at a later date.