WSL Expands to 14 Teams for 2026-27 Season

The English Women's Super League (WSL) is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams beginning with the 2026-27 season, after a club vote and pending final approval from the Football Association board. To enact this change, two teams from the second-tier WSL 2 will be automatically promoted at the end of the 2025-26 season, while the third-placed WSL 2 team will face the bottom WSL team in a promotion/relegation playoff. From 2026-27, the last-placed WSL team will be automatically relegated, and the 13th-placed team will contest a playoff with the WSL 2 runners-up. The changes are designed to increase tier movement, create more opportunities, and further professionalize women's football. The decision follows months of debate over league structure and has received support from league leadership and club shareholders. The reforms are expected to raise standards and attract greater investment into women's football in England.