North East teams have eyes on WSL expansion

THE Women's Super League is set for an expansion to 14 teams from the start of the 2026-27 season, incorporating a promotion and relegation play-off.

- By ROSS GREGORY Head of North East Sport [e-mail]

It is huge news for Newcastle United Women, Sunderland Ladies and Durham Women who all finished in the top seven of the Championship in the season just finished and will now have their eyes on the big prize.

This significant development follows a proposal by Nikki Doucet, chief executive of Women's Professional Leagues Limited, which earned the nod during Monday's WSL Football shareholders meeting.

While awaiting the go-ahead from the Football Association board, this move would see 14 teams battle it out in the premier women's competition beginning next year, with the 2025-26 season concluding in a dramatic relegation/promotion play off.

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.