The Women’s Super League will expand from 12 teams to 14 from the 2026-27 season.
Monday’s announcement ended months of speculation about changes to the league, including suggestions in March that relegation could be temporarily scrapped in the WSL, which is not the case.
At the end of the 2025-26 season, the top two sides from the second tier, WSL 2, will be automatically promoted.
In addition, there will also be a play-off between the third-placed team in the second tier and the WSL’s bottom side for the final place in the top flight.
An update on the structure of #BarclaysWSL and #BarclaysWSL2 for the 2025-26 season
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) June 16, 2025
From 2026-27, there will be one automatic promotion spot for the WSL 2 winners, with the bottom team in the WSL relegated.
There will then be a play-off between the second-bottom team of the WSL and the second-placed side in WSL 2 to decide the other place in the competition.
The proposal for the new changes was presented at a shareholders’ meeting on Monday, with the clubs voting in favour of the expansion. The Football Association (FA) will not meet to formally sign off on the changes, which must be implemented before July 31.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SoccerNews
Soccernews.com is news blog for soccer with comprehensive coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, as well as MLS in the United States. In addition we offer breaking news for transfers and transfer rumors, ticket sales, betting tips and offers, match previews, and in-depth editorials.
You can follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/soccernews.com or Twitter: @soccernewsfeed.