logo
WSL to expand to 14 teams in 2026-27 with new promotion/relegation play-off

WSL to expand to 14 teams in 2026-27 with new promotion/relegation play-off

Rhyl Journal17-06-2025
A proposal put forward by Nikki Doucet, chief executive of Women's Professional Leagues Limited, was voted through at Monday's WSL Football shareholders meeting.
It requires the approval of the Football Association board but, if it gets the green light, 14 teams will compete in the women's top flight from next year. It means the 2025-26 campaign WSL will conclude with a relegation/promotion play-off.
'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,' Doucet said.
An update on the structure of #BarclaysWSL and #BarclaysWSL2 for the 2025-26 season 🏆
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) June 16, 2025
'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 play-off creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high-stakes match.'
If the expansion from a 12-team WSL to 14 gets FA approval, it offers three Women's Championship clubs the chance to gain promotion during the 2025-26 campaign.
The top two of the Championship will go up automatically and the third-placed side will take on the team which finished bottom of the WSL in a play-off.
We're not just a league. We're a movement.
This is the new era of Women's Super League Football.#BarclaysWSL #BarclaysWSL2 pic.twitter.com/Oycxqv1g1f
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 12, 2025
The Championship will continue as a 12-team league with 'additional promotion opportunities' from the FA Women's National League Northern and Southern Premier Divisions at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
'The method for these promotions, and any impact further down the pyramid, will be confirmed by The FA in due course,' a WSL Football statement read.
It means from the 2026-27 season, the 14th-placed team would be relegated and replaced by the winner of the Championship.
A relegation/promotion play-off between the 13th-placed club in the WSL and Championship runner-up would then determine the final place in the top-flight.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pizza, partying and a new mantra - How Lionesses celebrated reaching Euro 2025 Final
Pizza, partying and a new mantra - How Lionesses celebrated reaching Euro 2025 Final

Daily Mirror

time23 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Pizza, partying and a new mantra - How Lionesses celebrated reaching Euro 2025 Final

Sarina Wiegman's European champions are stubbornly refusing to give up their crown and have booked their place into Sunday night's final in Switzerland after another miraculous late comeback Not. Done. Yet. That's the Lionesses mantra with England's Women now one game away from going back-to-back at the European Championships. ‌ The 2021 Euro Queens have been nothing if not belligerent in Switzerland, stubbornly refusing to give up their crown. The quarter-final against Sweden, they looked dead and buried, 2-0 down lacking inspiration. Tuesday night's semi-final against Italy, 1-0 down with 95 minutes on the clock and struggling to break down fiercely obdurate opponents it looked like the end. ‌ Both times, by hook or by crook, they found answers. Just as questions were asked of Sarina Wiegman, whether she'd got her tactics wrong or used her substitutions too late, her side found the answer. ‌ In both games, Michelle Agyemang proved critical, the teenage striker stepping off the bench and finding crucial goals - not least her equaliser against the Italians in Geneva."She has something special," the England boss gushed. "She's only 19-years-old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do." Another super-sub, Chloe Kelly, struck the extra-time winner to KO Italy, having been vital in turning the tide against Sweden with her dribbling and crossing ability. Both games England's dream looked like dying. Instead, they emerged victorious, boisterous celebrations following into the night after booking another final spot. READ MORE: UEFA desperately trying to preserve rules that helped England reach Euro 2025 final Veteran star Lucy Bronze declared: "I mean I never doubted that we had what it takes to push through but I think we've put our families through hell and back these last few games, to be honest. ‌ "I think that's people from the outside thinking teams have to win every single game. I think people talk about consistency with this England team, we've done six consecutive semi-finals, three consecutive finals, who else has done that? Nobody. You know, Spain and Germany are fantastic teams, even they haven't managed that feat. "It's hard to stay at the top in international football, so many teams, they have performances, then it's up and down, they develop, but this team just keeps fighting until the end. "I feel like we didn't have anything to prove because we've been there, we've done it many, many times, just about it's just the fact that the game's getting better, international football's not as easy as it used to be. And everybody's fighting and everybody wants to win and everybody feels like they can win." ‌ As they returned into their dressing rooms post-match the relief and sheer delight was clear. "Come on" roared Beth Mead, a dancing Kelly not far behind. "Goodness me" was Esme Morgan's simple statement that said everything about the 120 minutes she'd just been involved in. ‌ Inside, the Lionesses partied, slamming tables and singing 'Freed from Desire', a team delirious, still running on adrenaline, enjoying themselves and living in the moment, surrounded by sports drinks, bananas, tape and other changing room knick-knacks. After a quick shower and change they popped into the stands to celebrate with family members, boyfriends, loved ones - chats and debriefs shared over pizza. For some fans on social media, that normalcy was almost the highlight of the night. ‌ By the time the Lionesses and the coaching staff cleared out of the stadium it was nearly 1am. "Three finals on the bounce and we want more," declared Kelly. "It's such an unbelievable feeling" ‌ "We never give up," declared Wiegman. "We say we can win by any means. This team just keeps on going." For Bronze, now 33, there would be no party long into the night, regardless of what some of her team-mates were planning. "I'll be in the ice bath, let the kids celebrate."

Canaries considering move for versatile Schlupp
Canaries considering move for versatile Schlupp

BBC News

time24 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Canaries considering move for versatile Schlupp

Norwich City are considering a move for former Crystal Palace left-back Jeffrey 32-year-old, who is currently without a club after his contract with the south London side expired, made 12 Premier League appearances for the Eagles last season and a further 13 for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership following a loan move in Ghana international has experience winning trophies, having won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016 before his transfer to Palace in who also plays in midfield, has been linked with fellow Championship side West Bromwich Albion this summer.

Wrexham's next signing slammed club legend he's 'miles better than' as clip resurfaces
Wrexham's next signing slammed club legend he's 'miles better than' as clip resurfaces

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Wrexham's next signing slammed club legend he's 'miles better than' as clip resurfaces

A new player is set to join Wrexham in the coming days, but he may need to apologise to one of his team-mates after some brutal comments came back to haunt him Wrexham's next recruit could be in for an uncomfortable introduction after a clip of him criticising one of his soon-to-be team-mates resurfaced online. Josh Windass is tipped to sign for the Red Dragons on a free transfer this week following his departure from Sheffield Wednesday by mutual consent. ‌ The forward left Hillsborough last week amid issues with the club not paying players' wages promptly for May and June. The son of Hull City icon Dean, Windass is believed to have completed a medical on Monday having already agreed personal terms with Wrexham. ‌ Last season, the 31-year-old made waves in the Championship with Wednesday, bagging 13 goals and setting up five more. His imminent move is set to delight manager Phil Parkinson as he aims to bolster the squad after their promotion to the second tier in April. ‌ However, Windass may have amends to make upon meeting his new mates after the reappearance of a video showing him criticising Wrexham striker Ollie Palmer on social media. During a February 2024 episode of the Pitch Side podcast, Windass claimed he was "miles better" than Palmer, who has scored 44 times in 155 games for the club. Windass's brash remarks were in response to Palmer's assertion that he could net 20 goals a season in the Premier League if he played for Manchester City. He didn't hold back his thoughts, saying: "Ollie Palmer said he'd get 20 goals for City, didn't he? It's absolutely delusional at the highest level. No offence to Ollie Palmer." ‌ When asked if he could notch a few goals in the top flight himself, Windass responded: "But I'm miles better than Ollie Palmer. If I was getting 20 goals for Man City every year, I'd be playing for Man City. He [Palmer] doesn't even get 15 [for Wrexham]." Palmer has become a fan favourite at Wrexham since his transfer from Wimbledon in January 2022 for a record-breaking £300,000. His 17 goals were pivotal in Wrexham's ascent from the National League in 2023, where they clinched the title with an impressive 111 points. ‌ But Palmer's goal-scoring prowess waned last season, managing just three goals in 27 outings. Manager Parkinson left him out of the team in the latter half of the season following new attacking signings in January. ‌ The decision to sideline Palmer led to public criticism from his father. Andy Palmer, who previously served as a protection officer for the Royal Family, took to social media to challenge Parkinson to "swallow his pride" and give his son more game time. Meanwhile, Windass is set to become the club's fifth summer signing following the acquisitions of striker Ryan Hardie from Plymouth, goalkeeper Danny Ward from Leicester, left-back Liberato Cacace from Empoli and midfielder George Thomason from Bolton. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store