Fran Kirby helped Brighton & Hove Albion to a fifth placed finish in the WSL last termplaceholder image
Fran Kirby helped Brighton & Hove Albion to a fifth placed finish in the WSL last term | Getty Images
New top-flight set-up for Brighton and Hove Albion
The Women’s Super League is set expand to 14 teams from the start of the 2026-27 season, with a promotion and relegation play-off to be introduced.
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.
“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.”
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