The Women’s Super League is poised for significant expansion as plans to increase the number of participating teams to 14 from the 2026-27 season have been given the green light.
The decision is set to bring in a promotion-relegation play-off system into the fray, shaking up the current league dynamic.
Nikki Doucet, the chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, brought forward the transformative proposal, which was subsequently approved at a recent WSL Football shareholders meeting held on Monday.
While these exciting developments hinge on the nod from the Football Association board, the go-ahead would see a more competitive women’s top-flight football landscape emerge from next year onward.
The upcoming 2025-26 season’s ending is set to be intensified with a relegation/promotion play-off battle.
“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.
She highlighed that the overarching goal was always the advancement of the entire structure of women’s football.
“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,” Doucet added.
Doucet went on to articulate the anticipated benefits, including increased dynamism within league interactions and broader opportunities for upward mobility throughout the football ladder.
“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,” she added.
“The introduction of a promotion/relegation play-off creates distinction for the women’s game and introduces a high-profile, high-stakes match.”
WSL Football has since released a statement, which reads: “The method for these promotions, and any impact further down the pyramid, will be confirmed by The FA in due course.”
