What Is 2020 Scottish Women's Premier League

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) was the 19th season of the top-tier women's football league in Scotland, originally scheduled to begin in August 2020 but cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the season ultimately declared null and void by the Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) board in May 2021.

Key Facts

The 2020 SWPL season was officially declared null and void in May 2021 due to pandemic disruptions
Celtic FC Women won the 2019 SWPL title with 58 points, 10 ahead of Glasgow City
The 2020 season was scheduled to start in August but was delayed and later abandoned
12 teams competed in the SWPL1 division before the season was canceled
Glasgow City had won 14 consecutive titles from 2007 to 2019 prior to the 2020 disruption

Overview

The 2020 Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) was intended to be the 19th season of the top-flight women’s football competition in Scotland, organized by Scottish Women’s Football (SWF). Originally scheduled to kick off in August 2020, the season faced unprecedented challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted domestic and international sports calendars.

Despite initial hopes to complete a shortened campaign, ongoing public health restrictions and fixture congestion made resumption impractical. In May 2021, the SWF officially declared the 2020 season null and void, meaning no champion was crowned and no teams were promoted or relegated based on that season’s results.

Twelve teams were set to compete in SWPL1 for the 2020 season, including defending champions Celtic FC Women and historical powerhouses Glasgow City.
The season was delayed from its original August 2020 start due to health and safety protocols related to the pandemic, pushing hopes for a spring restart.
No official matches were completed in the 2020 SWPL campaign, as all competitive fixtures were suspended and later canceled.
The 2019 season concluded with Celtic FC Women winning the title on 58 points, ending Glasgow City’s 14-year dominance.
Glasgow City had won 14 consecutive titles from 2007 to 2019, making their 2019 dethroning by Celtic a historic shift in Scottish women’s football.

How It Works

The structure and governance of the SWPL involve league operations, team eligibility, and seasonal planning overseen by Scottish Women’s Football in collaboration with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). The 2020 season’s cancellation raised questions about how future disruptions would be managed.

Season Format: The SWPL1 typically operates as a double round-robin league with 12 teams playing 22 matches each, followed by a split into top and bottom halves for final standings.
Relegation and Promotion: The bottom team in SWPL1 is relegated to SWPL 2, while the SWPL 2 champion is promoted, though this was suspended for 2020 due to the null season.
COVID-19 Impact: Public health restrictions prevented training and match play, leading to the formal cancellation in May 2021 after over nine months of uncertainty.
Player Contracts: Many players faced uncertainty as contracts were tied to seasons that never materialized, affecting career planning and transfers.
European Qualification: Normally, the SWPL champion qualifies for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, but no Scottish team advanced from the 2020 season.
League Administration: The SWF, not the SPFL, manages the SWPL, though collaboration exists for branding and broadcasting efforts to grow the women’s game.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 and 2020 SWPL seasons, highlighting key differences in outcomes and structure due to the pandemic.

Aspect	2019 Season	2020 Season
Champion	Celtic FC Women	No champion declared
Matches Played	All 22 rounds completed	0 matches completed
Relegation	Forfar Farmington relegated	No relegation
Promotion	Heart of Midlothian promoted	No promotion
European Qualifier	Celtic entered UEFA Women’s Champions League	No entry from Scotland

The contrast between 2019 and 2020 underscores how external forces can disrupt even well-established sports leagues. While 2019 saw a competitive and completed season with clear outcomes, 2020 became a year of administrative decisions rather than on-field action. This disruption affected player development, club finances, and Scotland’s visibility in European women’s football.

Why It Matters

The cancellation of the 2020 SWPL season had wide-ranging implications for women’s sports in Scotland, highlighting vulnerabilities in scheduling, funding, and athlete support during crises. It also emphasized the need for resilient contingency planning in women’s football.

Historic disruption marked the first time since the league’s inception in 2002 that a full season was declared null and void.
Clubs like Glasgow City and Celtic lost opportunities to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, affecting exposure and revenue.
The cancellation delayed momentum from the 2019 season, when increased media coverage and fan engagement showed growth potential.
Young players missed a full year of high-level competitive development, impacting national team pipelines.
Financial strain hit clubs reliant on matchday income and sponsorship, with no compensation framework for lost seasons.
The decision prompted calls for greater institutional support from the Scottish FA and SPFL to stabilize the women’s game.

Ultimately, the 2020 SWPL season serves as a case study in how global events can reshape sports. While no trophies were awarded, the episode accelerated discussions about equity, resilience, and long-term investment in women’s football across Scotland.