Six things to expect at the 2026 SHEIN Women’s Football Awards | Football
The countdown is officially on for the 2026 SHEIN Women’s Football Awards – and this year’s edition is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
Taking place on Thursday, 7 May, the flagship event in the women’s football calendar will once again celebrate the game’s brightest stars, trailblazers and game-changers – both on and off the pitch – with plenty of glamour and headline-making moments along the way.
As an official media partner, Metro will be front and centre for a night that continues to grow in stature and influence.
Ahead of the ceremony, here are six things to expect from the 2026 SHEIN Women’s Football Awards:
Star power on hosting duties
Expect another top-tier presenting line-up to lead the night with authority and personality. Familiar faces such as Gabby Logan, Jamie Carragher and Lianne Sanderson are returning, bringing their signature mix of insight and charisma.
There’s also strong anticipation around who might join them on stage this year – with organisers promising a very special guest presenter.
A red carpet packed with A-listers
From football icons to entertainment royalty, the guest list is expected to be stacked. Previous years have seen stars like Melanie C, Myleene Klass, Fleur East, Claire Richards and Alex Scott in attendance – and 2026 should be no different.
There’s already buzz around a possible appearance from David Beckham, whose presence would add serious star power to the evening. The football icon recorded the launch video for this year’s ceremony and speculation is growing that he could attend to show his continued support for the women’s game.
Player of the Year: too close to call
The standout individual honour is once again expected to be fiercely contested. With the women’s game reaching new heights across Europe, fans will have a tough decision on their hands when voting opens.
The shortlist features a mix of established superstars and breakthrough performers, reflecting another incredible year of competition and growth.
Strong support from the men’s game
Allyship remains a key theme of the awards, and 2026 should see another strong turnout from leading figures in men’s football.
Big names such as Harry Kane, Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady, Steven Gerrard and Declan Rice have shown support in previous years – and with increased visibility around the women’s game, even more high-profile attendees are expected this time around.
Honouring the pioneers
A defining moment of the night will once again be the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating those who paved the way for today’s stars.
Following in the footsteps of legends like Carol Thomas, this year’s recipient is set to be another transformative figure whose impact on the game has been profound. As always, the reveal is being kept tightly under wraps.
The return of the iconic SHEIN goody bags
No awards night would be complete without a touch of luxury = and the famous SHEIN goody bags are back.
Packed with exclusive treats, fashion pieces and premium gifts, they’ve become one of the most talked-about features of the evening, with 2026’s edition expected to raise the bar yet again.
The Women’s Football Awards is supported by Shein, ScottishPower, DSV, Destinology, Mophe, Buzz 16, The Premier League, Professional Footballers’ Association, Morrisons, Linklaters and MJ Quinn.
SHEIN Women’s Football Awards shortlist
Player of the Year
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)
Jess Park (Manchester United)
Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)
Young Player of the Year
Tōko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur)
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City)
Michelle Agyemang (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
Grace Clinton (Manchester City)
Aoba Fujino (Manchester City)
Nelly Las (Leicester City)
Ruby Mace (Everton)
Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur)
International Player of the Year
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona)
Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint-Germain)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Victoria López (Barcelona)
Club of the Year
Manchester City
Wrexham
London City Lionesses
Manchester United
Chelsea
Glasgow City
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Charlton Athletic
Hearts
Brighton & Hove Albion
Media Figure of the Year
Kelly Cates
Karen Carney MBE
Lianne Sanderson
Laura Woods
Reshmin Chowdhury
Alex Scott MBE
Mina Ibrahim
Suzanne Wrack
Katie Whyatt
Faye Carruthers
Mollie and Rosie Kmita
Best Marketing Campaign
Sports Direct & Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here
AXA – Keep On Kicking
Lidl – Never Stop Growing
Adidas & Intersport – Make Football Their Game
Chelsea & Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period.
PepsiMAX & Hope&Glory – Thirsty for More
Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger
The FA & Disrupt – Made For This Game
WSL Football & Anomaly – Watch This
Nike & Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME
Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans
Best Grassroots Initiative
Liverpool FA – She Inspires
GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls & Women Programme
Flutter UK & Ireland – Cash4Clubs
McDonald’s – Fun Football
Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme
Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI
Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling
Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids
Manchester City – City in the Community
SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership
Brand of the Year
Lucozade Sport
Adidas
EA Sports
British Gas
Skoda UK
Rexona
Barclays
Adobe
Three UK
VISA
Nike
Best Social Media
Juventus
The FA – Lionesses
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur
Bristol City
Manchester United
Rangers
Manchester City
Adobe – Women’s FA Cup
Global Impact Award
PlayStation
VisitMalta
VISA
Adidas
Iberdrola
PepsiCo
Booking.com
Amazon
Google Pixel
Kynisca
Nike
Best Fan Engagement
Disney+
EA Sports
Chelsea
London City Lionesses
Birmingham City
Panini
Glasgow City
Havas Play
Charlton Athletic
TikTok
YouTube
Legal Team of the Year
Linklaters
RPC
Thackray Williams
Evelyn Partners
Lawrence Stephens Limited
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team
Capital Law
Mills & Reeve
Paul Robinson Solicitors
Bird & Bird
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Admiral
Lidl
Adobe
Unilever
Domestic & General
Xero
Apple
RSK
Bute Energy
The Premier League
Deloitte
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award
Arsenal
EE
Pixel FC Academy
The FA
West Ham United
Mastercard
Utilita
Brighton & Hove Albion
VISA
Three UK
Liverpool
Community Impact Award
Sunderland
Carpenters Group
Bristol City
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Her Game Too
Xero
London City Lionesses
Domis
Brighton & Hove Albion
E.ON
Goals4Girls
Football Business of the Year
ORRECO
Mercury13
We Are Athlete
CAA SPORTS
Gravity Media
LiveScore Group
Foudys
EA Sports
Kynsica
Sportfive
Twenty3
Football Agency of the Year
Wasserman
CAA SPORTS
CMG SPORTS
Gen Z Football
Ignite Talent
Tongue Tied Management
PLG
A&V Sports Group
Gestifute
Livida Sport
Quantum Sport
Football Business Trailblazer
Kay Cossington
Aki Mandhar
Maggie Murphy
Sarah Batters
Zoe Johnson
Jemma White
Sola Kasali
Charlotte O’Neill
Laura Downey
Laura Montgomery
Liz Ellen
Best Breakthrough Business
E.l.f Beauty
Modibodi
Mercedes-Benz UK
Airbnb
British Gas
Guinness
AFTA Studios
PLG
Revolut
Skechers
Crocs EU
Women’s Football Champion
Rose Read
Nadine Kessler
Nikki Doucet
Jemma White
Michele Kang
Ebru Köksal
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Joelle Murray
Rachel Pavlou
Simone Pound MBE
Vic Akers OBE
Game Changer Award
Rachel Yankey OBE
Gillian Coultard MBE
Eartha Pond
Shelley Kerr MBE
Kelly Smith MBE
Nikita Parris
Ellen White MBE
Gilly Flaherty
Fran Kirby
Ini Umotong
Jess Fishlock MBE
Off The Pitch Award
Stephen Lansdown CBE
Michael Williamson
Matt Johnson
Bethan Woolley
Tammy Parlour MBE
Lungi Macebo
Rachel Pavlou
Liz Ellen
Lola Ogunbote
Helen Hardy
Jo Osborne
Six things to expect at the 2026 SHEIN Women’s Football Awards | Football
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