Women’s football: Chelsea FC introduce enhanced maternity policy

Chelsea FC Women (Barclays Women’s Super League) have introduced a new maternity policy "as part of an enhanced framework to support players and their families," the club announced on 18 September 2026.

The new policy includes:
• fully paid leave;
• personalised support throughout pregnancy;
• dedicated medical care for players returning to play;
• new measures covering adoption, parental leave and fertility.

The London club, who aim to "set the standard for player care in women’s football," have developed the new policy to provide players with "greater financial security and confidence."

"These policies follow our recently announced partnership with Fertility Plus (fertility clinic), which includes the creation of a ‘Player Value in Kind Fund’ to financially support players exploring their…