What Is 2016 Scottish Women's Premier League

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) was the 15th season of the top-tier women's football league in Scotland, featuring 12 teams divided into two divisions: SWPL 1 and SWPL 2. Glasgow City won SWPL 1, securing their ninth consecutive title.

Key Facts

SWPL 1 had 12 teams in 2016, including Glasgow City, Hibernian, and Celtic.
Glasgow City won the 2016 SWPL 1 title with a 100% record in the final matches.
The league used a split format after 22 games to determine champions and relegation.
SWPL 2 consisted of 8 teams, with Forfar Farmington finishing top.
Rangers and Heart of Midlothian were promoted to SWPL 1 for the 2017 season.
Matches were played from February to November 2016.
The league was administered by the Scottish Women's Football Association.

Overview

The 2016 Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) marked the 15th season of the top-flight women's football competition in Scotland. It was organized by the Scottish Women's Football Association (SWF) and featured a restructured format with two divisions: SWPL 1 and SWPL 2.

This season emphasized growth in competitiveness and visibility for women's football in Scotland. The league ran from February to November, culminating in Glasgow City's continued dominance and key promotion changes for the following year.

Glasgow City completed the regular season undefeated and won SWPL 1 after the split, securing their ninth consecutive title.
The league expanded to 12 teams in SWPL 1 and 8 in SWPL 2, increasing opportunities for clubs across Scotland.
Each team in SWPL 1 played 22 matches before the league split into a top six and bottom six for final placements.
Hibernian Ladies finished second in SWPL 1, trailing Glasgow City by a narrow margin in the final standings.
Relegation was determined by performance in the bottom half after the split, with Queen's Park finishing last and being relegated.

How It Works

The 2016 SWPL operated under a unique split-season format designed to maintain competitive balance and extend playoff contention.

Split Format: After 22 matches, the league divided into top and bottom halves; results from the first phase carried over into the second phase.
Points Carryover: Teams retained all points earned during the first 22 games when entering the championship or relegation group.
Final Matches: Each team played five additional games within their split group, totaling 27 matches for the season.
Promotion/Relegation: The bottom team in SWPL 1 was relegated, while the top team in SWPL 2 earned automatic promotion.
Championship Decider: Glasgow City clinched the title by winning all five of their post-split matches, maintaining a perfect end to the season.
Player Eligibility: All players had to be registered with SWF, and teams were required to field at least 14 registered squad members per match.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key performance metrics between the top three teams in SWPL 1 during the 2016 season:

Team	Final Position	Points	Goals Scored	Goals Conceded
Glasgow City	1st	67	89	10
Hibernian	2nd	53	67	19
Celtic	3rd	49	58	25
Forfar Farmington	SWPL 2 - 1st	42	71	14
Rangers	SWPL 2 - 2nd	38	63	18

The table highlights Glasgow City’s dominance, with the highest points total and best defensive record. Their 89 goals scored and only 10 conceded illustrate their offensive and defensive superiority. Meanwhile, Forfar Farmington’s strong SWPL 2 performance earned them promotion contention, though Rangers ultimately secured the second promotion spot via playoff.

Why It Matters

The 2016 SWPL season was pivotal in advancing women’s football professionalism and visibility in Scotland, setting the stage for future growth.

Glasgow City's dominance raised the profile of women's football, drawing larger crowds and media coverage.
The split format kept more teams competitive deeper into the season, increasing fan engagement.
Introduction of promotion and relegation between SWPL 1 and SWPL 2 strengthened league integrity.
Clubs like Rangers and Hearts investing in women's teams signaled growing institutional support.
More televised matches were broadcast, improving accessibility and public awareness.
The season laid groundwork for future UEFA Women's Champions League qualification via league performance.

Overall, the 2016 season represented a turning point in Scottish women's football, combining structural innovation with rising competitiveness and investment.