The FA have approved expansion plans for the Women’s Super League which will grow in total to 14 teams.
Clubs recently voted on the potential expansion to the WSL, which has had 12 teams since the 2019-20 season.
It comes as no surprise with the rising popularity of women’s football and with the league looking to improve the quality of football.
The change will affect how teams get promoted to or relegated from the WSL during the 2025-26 season. A relegation play-off will be held every year as part of the changes.
It will also lead to ‘consequential changes to promotion’ throughout the remainder of the women’s football pyramid. The FA said that this “will be decided in due course”.
When is the Women’s Super League expanding?
The expansion of the WSL from 12 teams to 14 teams will begin from the 2026-27 season.
It means there will be a greater chance of relegation and promotion for the teams in the top two tiers of women’s football.
Once the WSL has fully expanded, Sky Sports could broadcast up to 50 more games from the 2026-27 campaign.
The FA Board has approved proposals made by WSL Football to increase the size of the @BarclaysWSL to 14 clubs.
— The FA (@FA) June 20, 2025
How will promotion and relegation work in the 2025-26 season?
The current WSL format sees one team relegated from the top tier of women’s football. However, this will change to two teams relegated and promoted every season.
To reach 14 teams for the 2026-27 season, the top two teams in the Women’s Super League 2, will be automatically promoted to the WSL.
From 2026-27, the last-placed 14th team in the league will be automatically relegated. There will be a relegation play-off every year featuring the teams who finished 13th in the WSL and second in WSL 2.
Why is the WSL expanding to 14 teams?
The expansion to the Women’s Super League is aimed at increasing opportunities and raising minimum standards in England’s top flight.
A statement from the WSL read: “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.
“Expanding the WSL 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.”
The WSL previously announced changes to its league criteria as step one of the plan. Qualifying teams are required to improve their facilities, player contracts and staffing levels ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
A survey showed that too many teams in England’s top flight have not been threatened by relegation and have stagnated in the top-flight. So the update to WSL requirements is aimed at improving clubs who are not progressing forward.
