Progress with Unity! Man Utd Women set for stadium name change with immediate effect as local council launches new initiative

Leigh Sports Village, the long-time home of Manchester United Women, has undergone a significant change. The stadium will now be called the Progress With Unity Stadium following approval at a Wigan Council meeting, although the overall site, which includes various health, sport and leisure facilities, will retain the original LSV name. The new stadium name takes immediate effect, with the venue continuing to host both United Women, the club's Under-21 team, and the Leigh Leopards rugby league team.

Council leader David Molyneux MBE explained the reasoning behind the change, stating: "It's important to note that Progress With Unity isn't just our initiative, it has partnership working and the strength of our communities at its heart. In many ways, Leigh Sports Village encapsulates this approach; it is a complex of facilities to be proud of, hosting professional and grassroots organisations and delivering community-based services. We believe the new name for the stadium is therefore, an appropriate step to promote what we are trying to achieve here in our borough and be a figurehead for our shared values."

The timing of the name change adds extra significance after United Women's latest home match against Arsenal drew a record crowd of 8,665 supporters. That figure surpassed the previous high of 8,348 set in the same fixture last season. The rebrand is seen as a way to further strengthen the stadium's identity as a hub of both elite and community sport.

Marc Skinner's Manchester United will continue to use the Progress With Unity Stadium as their primary home ground, alongside occasional fixtures at Old Trafford. The venue will also keep serving rugby and grassroots events, ensuring it remains central to the borough's sporting life. Next up for the WSL side is the visit of reigning champions Chelsea on Friday, October 3.