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