How the new WSL 14-team expansion plan will reshape the women's football pyramid

WSL2 becoming fully professional means the financial demands on clubs in the division have been ramped up

- Suzanne Wrack

The announcement that the Women's Super League is to expand to 14 teams is welcome and long overdue. For years there has been a clamour for expansion and it was a matter of time before it happened, but how did we get here?

The transfer of ownership of WSL and WSL2 last summer from the Football Association to WSL Football, in which the clubs are shareholders, prompted an analysis of the leagues' future. Every format and variation was on the table and explored, with fans, clubs and other stakeholders consulted.

Some possibilities - such as a pause in relegation and promotion as the league expanded - were widely condemned after being reported.

What has been settled on is a two-club expansion of the WSL from 2026-27, with WSL2 remaining a 12-team league. From then, the WSL's bottom club will be relegated and 13th will play off against the WSL2 runners-up for a top-tier spot.

At the bottom of the second division, things remain the same, with two relegated and the champions of the Women's National League (WNL) North and South promoted, providing they meet the licensing criteria.

This is a solid conclusion, the playoff adding extra jeopardy at the bottom of the WSL, an extra something to play for in WSL2, and a one-off showpiece game that will hopefully prove engaging audience-wise.