2022/23 WSL Manchester derby to be hosted at the Etihad Stadium | OneFootball

Manchester City have announced they will host their WSL clash with rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in December.

The fixture will mark the second time that the Manchester derby has been played at City's main stadium, following the pair's clash in front of a then WSL record crowd of 31,213 in September 2019.

The game will be played on the weekend of 10-11 December, with tickets now on sale.

“This is amazing news and something to look forward to for the new season," said Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor.

“For the derby at the Academy Stadium earlier this year, it was amazing to see a sell-out crowd there and the demand for tickets was unbelievable. A Manchester derby always has a little added spice, but to bring it back to the Etihad again – especially with the growth of the league over the last few seasons - will bring it to another level.”

City are the second WSL side to announce a marquee fixture to be played in a larger venue ahead of the 2022/23 season, after Arsenal confirmed a trio of league matches, plus their three Champions League group stage games should they qualify, would be hosted at the Emirates.

The move sees clubs attempt to capitalise on the wave of post-Euro 2022 momentum, with an assortment of attendance records set tumbling at this summer's tournament.

Clubs will be hoping for a similar trend as was seen following the 2019 World Cup. A selection of WSL matches - including the league's maiden Manchester derby - were hosted in large stadia, attracting five-figure crowds.

"Playing the derby in front of over 31,000 people back in 2019 is one of my favourite moments of my City career, without a doubt," added City captain Steph Houghton.

“The atmosphere that the fans created was just amazing and it was a day to remember for all of us who were involved. As much as the Academy Stadium is our home and it was just incredible to see it sold out for the derby last season, having a bigger venue such as the Etihad Stadium will hopefully allow people who missed out last time to experience our Manchester derby in all its glory.”