The Women’s Super League (WSL) is set to undergo a major structural change, with the Football Association announcing that the top tier of English women’s football will expand from 12 to 14 teams starting from the 2026–27 season. The decision marks a significant evolution in the league’s development and introduces a fresh promotion and relegation model aimed at enhancing competition and sustainability across the women’s football pyramid.
Automatic Relegation and Promotion Play-Offs
Under the current format, the bottom-placed WSL team is relegated directly, while the top team from the Women’s Championship earns promotion. However, starting in 2026–27, the new system will introduce a two-tiered relegation structure:
- The 14th-placed WSL team will be automatically relegated.
- The 13th-placed team will enter a promotion/relegation play-off against the second-placed team from the Women’s Championship.
This adjustment aims to increase opportunities for Championship clubs to climb into the top division, while also ensuring WSL sides remain competitive until the end of the season.
Transitional Season in 2025–26
To accommodate the expansion, the 2025–26 season will function as a transition year. Two teams from the Women’s Championship will gain automatic promotion to the WSL, while the team finishing last in the WSL will drop down. Additionally, a play-off between the 11th-placed WSL team and the third-placed Championship team will determine the final spot in the expanded 14-team league.
The new format is designed not only to raise the level of competition but also to bring added excitement for fans and stakeholders during the season’s climax.
Driving Growth and Financial Stability
Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s Director of Women’s Football, emphasized that the changes are part of a wider vision to grow the domestic women’s game. “This is about strengthening the entire ecosystem of women’s football in England,” she said in a press briefing. “By offering more clubs a realistic path to the top and ensuring every match counts, we’re building long-term sustainability.”
The reforms follow the recommendations from the 2023 Karen Carney-led review, which called for a “world-leading” professional women’s game that prioritizes player welfare, investment, and competitiveness.
Response from the Clubs
Many Championship clubs have welcomed the move, viewing it as a fairer system that rewards ambition and consistency. WSL clubs, while cautious about the increased risk of relegation, see the play-off as a necessary mechanism to maintain standards and avoid stagnation.
The FA has confirmed that funding and regulatory support will be enhanced to ensure promoted clubs are financially and structurally prepared for the top flight, reducing the risk of a performance or infrastructure gap.
What This Means for the Future
The 14-team WSL model aligns more closely with many of Europe’s top leagues and is expected to increase broadcast and commercial opportunities. More matches will also mean greater visibility for players, increased fan engagement, and enhanced sponsorship potential.
The shift to a more dynamic promotion-relegation structure represents a bold but calculated step forward for English women’s football—one that aims to make the league more compelling, competitive, and commercially robust.
