WSL set to expand to 14 teams from 2026: What are the key changes and why are they being introduced? | OneFootball

The Women’s Super League is expanding from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026/27 season, with a new promotion/relegation play-off introduced.

At the end of next season, the two top teams will be promoted from WSL 2, formerly known as the Women’s Championship, while the threat of relegation will remain for the WSL teams.

There will be a play-off between the team who finishes 12th (bottom) in the WSL and the third-placed team in WSL 2 to see who will secure the final spot in the top flight.

Meanwhile, WSL 2 will remain as 12 teams and be fully professional, after clubs voted in favour of a proposal to raise minimum standards across the two leagues.

These plans were voted for by clubs on Monday, with all clubs voting unanimously in favour of expansion, but are still subject to Football Association approval.

What are the key changes?

In the current format of the 12-team league, the 12th-placed team in the WSL is relegated to the second tier, recently renamed WSL 2.

In this format, the relegated team is replaced by the winners of the WSL 2, with room for only one team to be promoted.

For the season beginning 2025/26, there is the opportunity for three WSL 2 teams to be promoted to the top flight, while the threat of relegation remains for the WSL clubs.

The top two WSL 2 teams will be automatically promoted to the WSL, while the third-placed team will have a play-off with the bottom-placed WSL team to determine who will either stay in or be promoted to the top flight.

However, once the WSL has expanded to 14 teams in the 2026/27 season, the model will change, with the potential to see either one or two new teams in the top tier each season.

There will be one automatic promotion spot for the winner of WSL 2, with the bottom-placed WSL team being relegated.

There will then be a play-off between the 13th-placed WSL team and the runners-up of WSL 2 to determine which team will either remain in or be promoted to the WSL.

Teams being promoted to WSL 2 from the third-tier Women’s National League must also meet the minimum WSL 2 standards to enter the league. If they do not, a relegated team would remain.

Minimum standards focus on player contact hours, facilities, staffing and academies.

Why expand the WSL?

It is hoped that the expansion could encourage investment across the two tiers and improve the minimum standards across the leagues.

With the potential for three WSL 2 clubs to reach the top flight, the return on an investment is more enticing.

With the gap widening between the top WSL teams, highlighted by Chelsea’s invincible league winning season, the incentive to invest in the top flight has been dwindling for the mid-table teams.

However with the threat of two teams being relegated, this could encourage investment, while WSL 2 teams will relish the prospect of promotion, with the two most recent seasons seeing nail-biting finishes.

Nikki Doucet, CEO, WSL Football said: “Over the past few months, WSL Football has led a thorough and robust, consultative process backed by research and analysis which explored multiple options that could drive the game forward and help it reach its potential.

“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.

“Subject to the approval from The FA 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.”