Brighton and Hove Albion Women reached the Women's FA Cup final for the first time in the club's history last weekend, playing in front of 43,917 fans at Wembley. The council leader says the impact on girls across the city will last a generation.

Almost 100 girls from eight Brighton primary schools took part in a rugby festival at Hove Rec in May 2026, part of the council's Sport Lifts Her Higher campaign to make Brighton the UK capital for women and girls in sport.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk led the celebrations at the Amex after the Seagulls qualified for the UEFA Conference League despite losing 3-0 to Manchester United. He also credited James Milner as the key figure in Brighton's remarkable second half of the season.

Brighton and Hove Albion will play in the UEFA Conference League in 2026/27 after finishing 8th in the Premier League. They lost 3-0 to Manchester United on the final day but results elsewhere sealed their European place. Full story, match report, final table and what comes next.

Brighton are 0-2 down at half time against Manchester United with European football slipping away. United scored in the 33rd and 44th minutes despite Brighton having 54 per cent of the ball.