WSL to expand to 14 teams in league overhaul - but women's top flight WILL keep relegation amid concern it could be scrapped
The Women's Super League (WSL) will expand to 14 teams starting from the 2026/27 season, with relegation retained following widespread concern over initial reports it might be scrapped.
The WSL has featured 12 teams since the 2019/20 season, but clubs have now voted to admit two additional sides at the end of the 2025/26 campaign – subject to approval by the FA board.
The top two teams from WSL2 (formerly the Women's Championship) will earn automatic promotion next season. The team finishing bottom of the WSL will face a play-off against the third-placed WSL2 side for a place in the top-flight.
And then from the 2027/28 season onwards, the 14th-placed WSL team will be automatically relegated and replaced by the WSL2 champions. A promotion/relegation play-off will also be introduced between the 13th-placed WSL team and the WSL2 runners-up to determine the final spot in the top division.
The top three WSL teams will continue to qualify for the Women's Champions League while there are no other changes to the format of the leagues – with a double round-robin also being retained.
The second tier will continue as a 12-team league with additional promotion opportunities to fill the extra vacancies yet to be decided by the FA, who runs the rest of the women's pyramid.
Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football – the governing body overseeing the top two tiers of the women's game in England – 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 playoff creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match.'
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