Women’s Super League have announced an expansion plan for 2026-27 season.
Both Women’s Super League (WSL) and Women’s Championship (set to be rebranded as WSL2 next season) currently contain 12 teams but the WSL will expand to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season.
To address this tweak in time for that season, the upcoming 2025-26 campaign will see the top two WSL2 clubs claim promotion whilst the third-placed club will enter a promotion/relegation playoff against the 12th-placed WSL team post season.
Once the league reorganisation is completed after 25-26 season, the 14th-placed team in WSL in 26-27 season onwards will be automatically relegated whilst the WSL2 champion is automatically promoted.
The second-placed WSL2 team however would meet the 13th-placed WSL team in a newly-introduced promotion/relegation playoff, with the WSL2 team gaining promotion if win that tie otherwise the WSL side will avoid relegation.
WSL Football CEO, Nikki Doucet explained that the decision has come through a “thorough and robust,” consultation with research and analysis which explored various options to progress the sport to its full potential.
Doucet consequently feels that this new league system will “benefit the whole women’s game pyramid,” and create improved minimum standards alongside distinction within English football whilst incentivising investment.
There will be no further major disruption to the format with the regular league season retaining the round-robin format, whilst the top three WSL clubs will qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League as normal.
Leave a Reply