The first women's Mitre Challenge Trophy matches were played in 1970,[16] and the first final was held on 9 May 1971 at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

[8] The WFA was initially named the Ladies Football Association of Great Britain,[8] and Scottish clubs were successful in reaching the first three finals of this tournament (albeit as runners-up).

Two of these clubs were runners-up in England while also winning the Scottish Women's Cup in the same season, Stewarton Thistle in 1971 and Westthorn United in 1973.

[8] This cup was replaced in May 1979 when the Football Association donated a new trophy for the competition's winners, to mark the WFA's tenth anniversary.

Between 2001 and 2008, the final of the tournament was covered by the BBC and presented by Celina Hinchcliffe, Rebecca Lowe, Ray Stubbs and Jake Humphrey; the punditry team was usually current players like Sue Scott and commentary usually by Steve Wilson and Lucy Ward or Faye White and always played on the May Day bank holiday.

In 2015 it was reported that even if Notts County had won the tournament outright the paltry £8,600 winnings would leave them out of pocket.

[33] In September 2020, the FA announced that health and life insurance and investment company VitalityHealth had signed a deal to become the sponsor of the competition until July 2023.

In addition, all 460 clubs that participate in the competition would gain access to, and training on Adobe Express, a graphic design tool.