Leicester Women relegated as Charlton reach WSL for first time | OneFootball

The inaugural Women's Super League playoffs saw Leicester City drop to the second tier of women's football in England after a nervy battle on Saturday. 

The Foxes, who sat bottom of the first tier at the end of the year, faced WSL2 third-place finishers, Charlton in a new play-off format for the 2026/27 season.

After neither side could find the back of the net after 120 minutes, the match went to penalties where the second-tier side held their nerve 2-1.

Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse was the star of the show, saving four of Leicester's penalties.

Charlton now return to top-flight women's football for the first time since 2008. Such celebratory moments were enjoyed by a record attendance of 3,979 spectators at The Valley for the women's team.

They join Crystal Palace and Birmingham City in the WSL next season.

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