Women's Super League set to expand from 12 to 14 teams

The Women's Super League is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams from the start of the 2026/27 season.

The proposal to expand the league was presented at a shareholders' meeting on Monday by WSL Football, and the FA are set to meet to officially sign off the changes before 31st July.

Following months of speculation, the plans were approved on Monday following a vote by the clubs.

How will the WSL expansion work?

In the 2025/26 campaign, the top two teams in the Women’s Super League 2 will be automatically promoted, while the team that places third will contest in a play-off match with the team that finished bottom of the WSL.

Once the 14 teams are established from the start of the 2026/27 season, an official annual system will come into place.

From then onwards, there will be one automatic promotion spot for the winner of WSL 2, with the bottom team in the WSL relegated.

In addition to this, the team that places second in the WSL 2 will face off in a play-off match against the second lowest placed team in the WSL to decide the 14th spot in the division for the following campaign.

It is expected that there will be two teams relegated from WSL 2 from the 2026/27 term onwards, and two automatic promotions from the third tiers, but the FA haven’t yet confirmed the next steps for the lower leagues.

Why is the WSL being expanded?

WSL Football have a 10 year plan, with considerable changes having already been made to improve standards as WSL Football reportedly aim for two fully-professional top tiers in England.

Requirements include improved facilities, additional staffing and focus on club academies.

There is a belief that several clubs have remained in the top flight for long periods without threat of relegation and have not progressed as a result, with the ideal that the implementation of two relegation spots will change that.

There may also be more incentive for clubs to invest in the WSL 2, with a greater opportunity to earn promotion to the WSL.

Ellis Statham

• Women's Football
• Women's Super League
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