Premier League
WSL To Expand To 14 Teams From 2026/27 Season

FA approve WSL expansion to 14 teams from the 2026/27; Next season, the WSL 2’s top two teams will be promoted, with third-place facing a relegation play-off with the top-flight’s bottom team; from then, 14th-placed will face WSL relegation, then 13th faces WSL 2 runners-up in a play-off
The FA have given their approval to the Women’s Super League expanding to 14 teams from the 2026/27 season.
The current league format sees one team relegated from the women’s football’s top tier, but it will now change to two teams relegated and promoted every season.
In order to reach 14 teams for the 2026/27 campaign, the top two teams in the second tier – the Women’s Super League 2 – will be automatically promoted to the WSL.
The final 14th spot will be decided by a relegation play-off at the end of the season between the 12th-placed team in the WSL and the third-placed team in the Women’s Super League 2.
In a statement, the FA said there would be “consequential changes to promotion throughout the remainder of the Women’s Football Pyramid for the 2025-26 season, which will be decided in due course”.
From the 2026/27 season, the last-placed 14th team in the league will be automatically relegated, with the 13th-placed team facing a play-off with the WSL 2 runners-up.
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 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.”
Analysis: New rules controversial – but add to drama
Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui:
The league’s bosses have thought long and hard about how best to expand the top division but today’s announcement won’t be without its critics.
The threat of relegation remains for the worst performing team in WSL this season but it’s a realistic possibility that side could tank all year and still retain their top flight status.
That being said, having at least two teams come up from WSL2 is a huge win for clubs that have been developing and investing in their women’s programmes.
Teams such as Birmingham City, Bristol City, Charlton, Newcastle and others will be delighted to now have three opportunities to win promotion to the promised land instead of squandering more time and money without a decent chance of going up.
And who doesn’t love a play-off? Having one with such jeopardy feels like a massive boost, in terms of entertainment, for the women’s game.
Sky to show nearly 90 per cent of WSL games from next season
In October, it was announced that Sky Sports has signed a new five-year deal to broadcast the WSL – securing the rights to show nearly 90 per cent of the league’s games.
From next season, Sky will broadcast 118 matches from the WSL, up more than three times the number of games currently, with 78 fixtures shown exclusively.
With over 75 per cent of first picks plus all matches from the closing weekend exclusive to Sky, women’s football fans are guaranteed more of the best matches week in, week out from England’s top flight.
The new partnership also gives Sky the option to show matches from the Women’s Championship and Women’s League Cup, including the final. This brings both competitions onto Sky platforms for the first time.
In 2023, Sky Sports broadcast over 70 per cent of all live televised women’s sport. Women’s football can be enjoyed alongside England Cricket, The Hundred, US Open tennis, WTA Tour, women’s golf majors, England Netball, F1 Academy, WPL Cricket, women’s boxing, Women’s Super League (rugby league) and more.
Football fans can enjoy this huge increase of fixtures from the women’s game from next season at the same time as Sky’s record deal with the Premier League kicks in, including at least 215 matches – an increase of 70 per cent on exclusively live games.
Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season
Watch more Premier League matches on Sky Sports ever before with 215 games live of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
Skysports.com

Premier League
Tosin Focused On FIFA Club World Cup Final

When Tosin Adarabioyo moved along the Thames to join Chelsea from Fulham in the summer of 2024, the defender issued the reasons explaining why he’d signed for the Blues.
Simply, he said he wanted to help the Blues move ‘in the direction we want to go’. To put it plainly, the defender wanted to add silverware to his CV.
Fast forward to May 2025 and Tosin was on the pitch in Wroclaw, Poland. A wide smile etched on his face, celebrating with his team-mates in front of the travelling Chelsea fans as we lifted the Conference League trophy. He’d delivered on his promise.
However, there’s still the opportunity for move silverware and as Tosin chats to us ahead of Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final, where we will face PSG, the defender is full of enthusiasm as he contemplates the thought of adding another trophy to his collection.
‘It’s fantastic to reach the final and we’re all looking forward to it,’ the Chelsea No.4 stated, with a beaming smile. ‘We’ve been focused throughout the tournament and we’ve got one huge game left to go now, which we’ll give our all for.
‘For us, it’s an amazing position to be in to play against teams all over the world. That’s what football’s about, bringing different countries all together and we’re happy to do that and be in the final.
‘This has been an amazing competition and it’s a big achievement for us to be in the final. But we know the work isn’t done yet and we’ll be giving it our all on Sunday.’
At 27, Tosin stands as one of the elder statesmen in Enzo Maresca’s squad. Saying that before he is even remotely close to hitting 30 feels slightly strange, but it’s a role the defender has embraced and understands he is required to be a ‘leader’ to his younger team-mates.
The former Fulham man has explained how he helps the other players in the squad, while also revealing one of the secrets to our success in the States – hard work combined with planned downtime and squad bonding.
‘It’s a strange one really!’ Tosin said of being one of the experienced heads in the dressing room. ‘I’m only 27, but I’m one of the most senior players in the team.
‘We’ve got a really talented young squad, with some amazing players and I just try to help and offer advice and guidance to the lads where I can.
‘Our minds have been set on getting to the final and the gaffer’s [Enzo Maresca] been great, giving us some downtime wherever we’ve been. We’ve done a lot of travelling in this tournament, so I think being able to do that has been really beneficial for us.
‘Joao’s settled in really well and we can see every day in training how talented he is.’
‘We’ve been able to have the right time to forget about football a little bit and just focus on enjoying our times together and that’s what we’ve done.’
Joao Pedro’s two goals in the semi-final against Fluminense on his full debut were what helped us secure our place in the final against the reigning Champions League holders, PSG, and Tosin spoke in glowing terms on how the Brazilian forward has settled in since completing his switch from Brighton.
‘Joao’s settled in really well and his two goals in the semi-final were both incredible,’ added the defender. ‘You can see that he’s got amazing quality and will really add something to the group.
‘We’re really pleased he’s here with us in America, helping the team and as I said he’s settled into the group so well already.’
With one step left to go, Tosin will hope victory on Sunday will ensure the celebrations in America eclipse those experienced in Poland.
Chelseafc.com
Premier League
Gunners Close In On Chelsea’s Madueke

It is expected that England international Madueke will provide competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s wide areas.
Chelsea forward Noni Madueke is on the brink of a £50million move to Arsenal – becoming Mikel Arteta’s fourth signing of the summer.
It is expected that England international Madueke will provide competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s wide areas.
Madueke’s proposed move across London has been met with criticism by Arsenal supporters on social media.
However, the PA news agency has been told that a fee, which could exceed £50m with performance-related add-ons, has all but been agreed with Chelsea, while the 23-year-old is keen to make the move.
Madueke, who made the switch to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, would follow Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – who also joined from Chelsea – and Christian Norgaard in moving to the Emirates this summer.
Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea across all competitions last season and was rewarded with his first senior international appearances under England interim manager Lee Carsley and his permanent successor Thomas Tuchel.
Arsenal are still in the market for a new striker, with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres believed to be top of the list.
The PA news agency has approached Arsenal and Chelsea for comment.
Irishexaminer.com
Premier League
Premier League Taps Adobe For Fan Revamp

The English Premier League has teamed up with tech giant Adobe in a multi-year partnership that promises to revolutionise how fans interact with the beautiful game online.
The deal sees Adobe become the league’s official digital fan experience and creativity partner – a move that signifies modern football’s relentless march towards personalised, AI-driven content.
Come August and the start of the new 2025-26 campaign, punters will find Adobe Express technology woven into the Premier League’s digital ecosystem. The integration promises to “give fans new ways to create and share Premier League content, and enhance their digital and Fantasy Premier League experience.”
Fantasy Premier League has become nothing short of a national obsession in England. What started as a bit of fun between mates has exploded into a phenomenon played by millions across the UK, with office bragging rights and pub debates hanging on every captain’s armband decision.
The real kicker, no pun intended is Adobe’s Firefly AI service, which will let Fantasy managers design their own kits and badges. A big change from the current format where managers are given a standard template.
Will Brass, the Premier League’s chief commercial officer, was bullish about the tie-up: “Adobe is a global leader in digital experiences and creativity, and this exciting partnership provides us with the tools to better understand and deliver what our fans need and want digitally, ensuring we can provide the best of the Premier League directly to them.”
This Adobe announcement follows hot on the heels of the league’s five-year strategic partnership with Microsoft, struck earlier this month. That deal sees Microsoft’s ‘Copilot’ AI integrated across the Premier League’s digital platforms, powered by Azure OpenAI technology. Fans will get instant access to player stats, team data, and historical competition information through the official app and websites, complete with multi-language translations.
It’s another sign of how the Premier League continues to flex its commercial muscles in the digital space, staying miles ahead of its European rivals when it comes to fan engagement technology.
Adobe isn’t putting all its eggs in one sporting basket either. The company expanded its NFL partnership in late April with a similar arrangement, while in English football, they’re already the title sponsor of the Women’s FA Cup – a deal GlobalData Sport values at £1 million annually through the 2025-26 season.
Insideworldfootball.com
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