More teams and relegation play-offs: What English women's football will look like next year
The Women's Super League is set to increase from 12 to 14 clubs from the 2026-27 season after shareholders approved several significant changes to the English pyramid.
Women's Super League Football, the company now in charge of running the top two divisions of women's football, had been considering a number of ways to restructure the game as part of their 'Project Pyramid'.
A number of different proposals had been mooted, including scrapping relegation and introducing title play-offs, but these were not pursued.
Instead, clubs were asked to vote on increasing the WSL to 14 teams from the 2026-27 campaign and making WSL 2 (formerly known as the Championship) a fully professional league.
Clubs voted unanimously in favour of the changes in what was an hour-long meeting.
Relegation from the top flight will be maintained but will look slightly different, with a play-off system being introduced, in which the club in 13th place in the WSL take on the club finishing second in WSL 2.
The changes are subject to approval from the Football Association board, which still holds a 'golden share' of the women's game. Telegraph Sport outlines how the key changes will be implemented and what the women's game will look like.
How WSL will move to 14 teams?
Two teams will be automatically promoted from WSL 2 while the third-placed team will go into a play-off against the bottom team in the WSL.
The WSL club will have the upper hand on the team who finish third in WSL 2, so it could mean that there will be no relegation from the top tier. It will all depend on how well-equipped the third-placed WSL 2 team are, but the odds are weighted in favour of WSL clubs.
What does that mean for WSL2?
The second tier will remain a 12-team league, but, because two teams will be automatically promoted to the WSL next season as well as the bottom-placed club being relegated, an extra promotion spot will be up for grabs from the National League for one campaign only.
As was the case last season, the winners of the Northern and Southern National Leagues will be automatically promoted. There will then be a play-off between the two second-placed teams from each division for the extra promotion spot.
This will only happen next season to account for the movement higher up the pyramid and, from 2026-27, the system will revert back to only the winners of each league being promoted.
It is also important to note that all clubs in the promotion or possible promotion places in the National Leagues will have to meet the licence criteria for WSL 2 in order to move up. If they do not, then 12th place in WSL 2 could avoid relegation.
How will promotion and relegation work from 2026-27 onwards?
Once the WSL is at 14 teams, the bottom-placed club will be automatically relegated to WSL 2 and the winners of the second tier will be promoted.
Then, 13th place in the WSL will play-off against second place in WSL 2.
Two teams will then be relegated from WSL 2, with the winners of the Northern and Southern Leagues earning promotion.
Why is WSL moving to 14 teams and what will be the impact?
The first obvious impact is there will be more games but it is understood this will still fit within the match calendar.
The belief is that going from 12 to 14 teams in the WSL will increase competition. There is also a feeling the current lack of movement in the pyramid has created stagnation, with too many clubs becoming comfortable, and that more games of consequence are required.
It is hoped that expanding the WSL will help to make the league more unpredictable, which will ultimately make for a better product.
Increasing the movement of clubs in leagues is the first step in WSL Football's 10-year plan.
Broadcast changes, financial regulation and refereeing
It is understood the 6.45pm broadcast slot, which has been held by Sky Sports, will be scrapped from next season. The belief is that the kick-off time made it harder for fans to attend matches despite being one of the most successful broadcast slots in terms of viewing figures.
Telegraph Sport understands there have been discussions about a stronger salary cap (the WSL currently has a soft salary cap which allows clubs to spend 40 per cent of their revenue on wages) but this has been ruled out - for now. The belief is that over-regulation of finances will stifle growth in the women's game.
There is an acknowledgement there is a disparity in operating models between clubs and the aim is for that gap to be closed through driving minimum standards.
There is also an understanding that many players are still not earning enough money and a salary floor, which was one of the key proposals of Karen Carney's review of the women's game, will be introduced.
A refereeing strategy is being developed in co-ordination with Rebecca Welch, who is manager of the Select Group Women's Professional Game. A report in 2024 indicated that just 20 percent of WSL referees are professional.
Speaking about the changes, Nikki Doucet, CEO, WSL Football said: 'Over the past few months, WSL Football has led a thorough and robust, consultative process backed by research and analysis which explored multiple options that could drive the game forward and help it reach its potential.
'Our priority was to find a route that would benefit the whole women's game pyramid, and we believe this next evolution of women's professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board.
'Subject to the approval from The FA Board, expanding the BWSL to 14 teams will stimulate movement between leagues and through the pyramid which increases opportunities. The introduction of a promotion/relegation play-off creates distinction for
the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match.'
Expanding the WSL has been long overdue and increasing the number of teams will hopefully lead to a competitive division.
The second tier could arguably also have been expanded to 14 teams and that is perhaps the next step in the development of WSL 2. Currently, data shows the calendar would be too congested for further expansion. Part of that issue is because of the scheduling of other competitions and the higher number of Fifa windows in the women's game.
It was vital that relegation and promotion was maintained. Decision-makers took on board the feedback of supporters, clubs and other key stakeholders and came to a conclusion that made sense for all parties.
The changes are beneficial for all clubs in WSL and WSL 2, hence the unanimous vote.
Raising minimum standards is necessary but, given recent events with Blackburn Rovers - who withdrew from WSL 2 because of financial pressures, it is important WSL Football work with clubs and ensure they are able to keep up with the continued growth of the game.
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