English Women's Super League to expand to 14 teams from 2026/27 season
LONDON, June 17 — The English Women's Super League (WSL) is set expand to 14 teams from 12 for the start of the 2026/27 season after the proposal was voted through by clubs yesterday.
The changes still require the approval of the English Football Association but are expected to pass with a promotion/relegation play-off as part of the shake up to the women's game.
Currently just one club is relegated and one promoted each season.
Next season the top two from the second tier WSL2 will be automatically promoted.
Additionally, third-place in the WSL2 will face the team that finishes bottom in the top tier in a play-off.
From the 2026/27 campaign, the one automatic relegation and promotion place will return with a play-off between second bottom in the WSL and second top in the second tier.
"Subject to the approval from the FA board, expanding the WSL to 14 teams will stimulate movement between leagues and through the pyramid which increases opportunities," said Nikki Doucet, chief executive of Women's Professional Leagues Limited.
"The introduction of a promotion/relegation play-off creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high-stakes match."
Expansion is part of a 10-year plan to raise standards across the top two tiers of English women's football, focused on improved facilities, staffing and academies.
According to financial experts Deloitte, collective revenues in the WSL rose 34 percent to £65 million ($88 million) in 2023/24 and are projected to reach £100 million in the upcoming season.
However, Deloitte also found that average attendances across the league dipped by 10 percent last season to 6,642 as the surge in interest generated by England's Euro 2022 success faded. — AFP pic
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Thai cabinet approves bid to host Bangkok F1 race
BANGKOK: Thailand moved a step closer to staging Formula One on the streets of Bangkok when the cabinet Tuesday formally approved a government bid to host a race. The bid, worth a reported US$1.2 billion, would see the Thai capital host races from 2028 to 2032, if it is successful when it is submitted to the sport's governing body. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has held multiple meetings with F1 chief Stefano Domenicali in recent months to push the project forward, including last month in Monaco, home to the sport's most storied street race. The layout of the potential Bangkok street circuit has not been revealed but government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said it could include an area near Chatuchak market in the north of the city, which is a magnet for tourists every weekend. The Thai government has touted the idea of a "sustainable" race and said the grand prix could benefit the kingdom to the tune of US$600 million. Most of Formula One's 24-race schedule is confirmed for several years but gaps are set to open up and Domenicali has suggested that Thailand could be a contender to join the circuit. Formula One currently stages one race in Southeast Asia, in Singapore, which is regarded as one of the toughest races of the season because of the intense heat and humidity. Thailand's only current Formula One driver is London-born Alex Albon with the Williams team. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Renault's CEO search may include insider Le Vot, Stellantis' Picat
Renault was the world's No 15 automaker by sales in 2024, according to data compiled by Felipe Munoz. (EPA Images pic) LONDON : Luca de Meo's abrupt departure as Renault CEO has kicked off a search for his successor, with analysts mentioning longtime insider Denis Le Vot and Maxime Picat of rival Stellantis as suitable fits to continue the French automaker's turnaround. Renault shares fell as much as 8% yesterday, their biggest one-day percentage drop since February 2022, as investors worried about the company's future without de Meo at the helm. Shares in Kering, where he will become CEO, rallied. Picat, who is head of global purchasing and supply chains at Stellantis, had been in the running for the CEO post at the world's No 4 automaker. One of two internal candidates, he lost out to Antonio Filosa. Executive vice president Le Vot joined Renault from university and has run its low-cost Dacia brand since May 2022. Analysts at French brokerage Kepler Cheuvreux said both men could be potential successors, whilst JP Morgan analyst Jose Asumendi noted Renault's 'strong bench' of brand managers, including at Dacia. 'We (…) also would envision potential external candidates from (other companies) such as Stellantis, VW Group, Nissan, amongst other competitors,' he said. Le Vot and Picat, who are both French nationals, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Renault declined to comment on its succession plans. Whoever succeeds de Meo will have to hit the ground running. Although he revived Renault and overhauled its strategic alliance with Nissan during his five years as CEO, like other traditional automakers it faces rising competition from Chinese rivals. The company must also lean on partnerships because it is smaller than most other mainstream manufacturers. 'De Meo's departure will add to concerns about Renault's ability to remain independent,' said Jefferies analysts, a perennial challenge in an industry built on scale. Renault was the world's No 15 automaker by sales in 2024, according to data compiled by industry analyst Felipe Munoz, down from 14th spot in 2023. In recent years, it has been overtaken by Chinese automakers BYD, Geely, Chery and Changan is likely to surpass it in sales this year. To make up for its small size as the auto industry wrestles with the huge expense of going electric, Renault under de Meo teamed up with a number of partners and investors including Google, Qualcomm and China's Geely. The partnerships have helped reduce costs, but labour unions claim they threaten the company's in-house know-how. Insider vs outsider Under Le Vot's leadership, the Dacia brand has performed well thanks to its Sandero and Duster models. In April, the subcompact Sandero was Europe's No 2 selling car – behind the Renault Clio – and the Duster SUV was No. 7, according to research firm JATO Dynamics. Le Vot had previous management stints in Turkey and Russia, where he was COO from 2011 to 2013, and ran North American operations at alliance partner Nissan, where he oversaw the launch of the new Altima sedan in 2018. Picat has spent his entire career at PSA and then Stellantis, formed when the French group merged with FCA in 2021. He was head of the Peugeot brand from 2012, where he oversaw the launch of two of its bestsellers, the 2008 and 3008 SUVs. A Stellantis source who knows Picat said he didn't know if he was interested in the top job at Renault, but that he would 'not be surprised' if he was talking to the French automaker. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said it would be normal for an executive to look elsewhere after losing the race to become CEO.
BusinessToday
2 hours ago
- BusinessToday
Yinson Closes US$1 Billion Investment Round From International Groups
Yinson Production has closed its USD 1 billion investment round from a consortium comprising a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and funds managed by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, and RRJ Group. The successful closing of the transaction follows the signing of a definitive agreement and satisfaction of the closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of Yinson Holdings Berhad. The investment is made through the issuance of USD 1 billion of redeemable convertible preferred shares (the 'RCPS') and warrants by Yinson Production Offshore Holdings Limited, a newly established UK-based holding company. The agreement provides for the option to issue additional RCPS of up to USD 500 million within 24 months from closing, subject to agreement. Upon closing, the investors funded the first tranche of USD 300 million, of which USD 200 million has been used for a special distribution to Yinson. The remaining USD 700 million of committed RCPS will be called in up to 3 installments by December 2026. Related
