Women’s Super League to expand to 14 teams from 2026/27 season with relegation play-off also in plans | Football News

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The female Super League should extend to 14 teams from the 2026/27 season.

The current format of the League sees a relegated team from the higher level of women’s football, but it will now go to two relegated teams and promoted each season.

In order to reach 14 teams for the 2026/27 campaign, the two best teams of the second level – the female Super League 2 – will be automatically promoted to WSL.

The 14th place will be decided by a relegation elimination at the end of the season between the 12th place in WSL and the third female Super League 2 team.

From the 2026/27 season, the last 14th League team will be automatically relegated, with the 13th team placed against a dam with the WSL 2 finalists.

WSL shareholders voted on the measure on Monday, but it is still subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Football Association (FA).

A WSL declaration read: “Our priority was to find an itinerary that would benefit the entire female game Pyramid, and we think that this next development of professional female football will increase minimum standards, will create a distinction and encourage investments at all levels.

“Subject to the approval of the AF board of directors, the expansion of the BWSL at 14 teams will stimulate the movement between the leagues and through the pyramid, which increases opportunities. The introduction of a promotion / relegation creates a distinction for the female game and introduces a high -level sharing match.”

Analysis: new controversial rules – but add to the drama

Anton Toloui from Sky Sports News:

The league bosses have long thought about the best way to expand the division, but today’s announcement will not be without its criticism.

The threat of relegation remains for the least efficient team of the WSL this season, but it is a realistic possibility that the team can tan all year round and always keep their flight status.

That being said, having at least two teams from WSL2 is a huge victory for clubs that have developed and invested in their female programs.

Teams such as Birmingham City, Bristol City, Charlton, Newcastle and others will be delighted to now have three opportunities to win a promotion on the promised land instead of sliding more time and money without a decent chance of climbing.

And who doesn’t like a play-off? Having one with such a danger seems to be a massive boost, in terms of entertainment, for the female game.

Heaven to show almost 90% of WSL games for next season

In October, it was announced that Sky Sports had signed a new five -year agreement to broadcast WSL – guaranteeing the rights to show almost 90% of the League games.

Since next season, Sky will be broadcast 118 WSL gamesmore than three times the number of games currently, with 78 lights indicated exclusively.

With more than 75% of the first choices and all the matches of the end of the exclusive weekend in Sky, female football fans are guaranteed more of the best games week after week at the end of England.

The new partnership also gives Sky the opportunity to display the matches of Women’s championship And Female leagueincluding the final. This brings the two competitions on Sky platforms for the first time.

In 2023, Sky Sports broadcast more than 70% of all the female television sports live. Women’s football can be appreciated alongside England Cricket, The Hunged, US Open Tennis, WTA Tour, Women’s Golf Majors, England Netball, F1 Academy, WPL Cricket, Boxing Women’s, Super League (Rugby League) and more.

Football fans can take advantage of this huge increase in the game’s game games for next season at the same time as the Sky registration contract with the Premier League beginning, including at least 215 games – an increase of 70% on exclusively live matches.