Chelsea's Millie Bright, center, lifts the trophy with teammates following victory in the English Women's FA Cup Final soccer match against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, London, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Women’s Super League in England to expand from 12 to 14 teams

LONDON (AP) — The top women’s soccer league in England is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams for the 2026-27 season.

Women’s Super League clubs voted Monday for the change that still requires approval from the Football Association board.

At the end of the 2025-26 season, the top two teams from the second tier, WSL 2, will be automatically promoted while the third-placed team will enter a playoff with the last-placed finisher in the top league.

In future seasons, there will be one automatic relegation spot from the Women’s Super League and one automatic promotion spot. There will also be a playoff between the teams in second-to-last place in the Super League and the runner-up in WSL 2.

“The introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff creates distinction for the women’s game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match,” said Nikki Doucet, chief executive of WSL Football.

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