Brighton Women Drawn to Face Barcelona in Joan Gamper Trophy

Brighton Women have landed one of pre-season’s glamour ties, with Dario Vidošić’s side set to face European champions Barcelona for the Joan Gamper Trophy. The Seagulls take on Barça Femení at the Johan Cruyff Stadium on Friday, August 21, with an 8pm local kick-off.

What the Barcelona tie means for Brighton Women

It is about as tough a test as the women’s game can offer. The Gamper is one of Spanish football’s most famous summer occasions, and the women’s edition — now in its fifth year — has been won by Barcelona in each of the previous four seasons, with victories over Juventus (twice), Montpellier and Milan. The Catalans reclaimed the Champions League by beating OL Lyonnes 4-0 in the final, so the Albion know exactly what they are walking into. Vidošić said the Seagulls were “really looking forward to” the trip, which comes amid a busy off-season of transfer activity at the club.

The fixture is a statement of ambition before a demanding WSL campaign that begins with a home date against 2024-25 Champions League winners Arsenal. Ticket information will be confirmed in due course, with the match open to the public.