The change was voted by clubs at a WSL Football shareholders meeting today and is subject to the approval of the Football Association Board.
To achieve this restructure, in the forthcoming 2025-26 campaign the top two finishers in the Women’s Super League 2 will be automatically promoted to the top flight. An end-of-season relegation/promotion play-off will also be held between the 12th-placed side in the WSL and the third-placed team in WSL2.
From 2026-27, the 14th-placed finishers in the WSL will be relegated and replaced by the WSL2 winners. A relegation/promotion play-off will also see the team in 13th in the top tier face the WSL2 runners-up.
Nikki Doucet, CEO of WSL Football, said: “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.
“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.”
