The Women’s Super League is set to expand to 14 teams from the 2026/27 season.

The current league format sees one team relegated from the women’s football’s top tier, but it will now change to two teams relegated and promoted every season.

In order to reach 14 teams for the 2026/27 campaign, the top two teams in the second tier – the Women’s Super League 2 – will be automatically promoted to the WSL.

The final 14th spot will be decided by a relegation play-off at the end of the season between the 12th-placed team in the WSL and the third-placed team in the Women’s Super League 2.

From the 2026/27 season, the last-placed 14th team in the league will be automatically relegated, with the 13th-placed team facing a play-off with the WSL 2 runners-up.

Shareholders of the WSL voted on the measure on Monday, but it is still subject to approval from the Football Association (FA) board.

A statement from the WSL read: “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 playoff creates distinction for the women’s game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match.”

Analysis: New rules controversial – but add to drama

Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui:

The league’s bosses have thought long and hard about how best to expand the top division but today’s announcement won’t be without its critics.

The threat of relegation remains for the worst performing team in WSL this season but it’s a realistic possibility that side could tank all year and still retain their top flight status.

That being said, having at least two teams come up from WSL2 is a huge win for clubs that have been developing and investing in their women’s programmes.

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

And who doesn’t love a play-off? Having one with such jeopardy feels like a massive boost, in terms of entertainment, for the women’s game.

Sky to show nearly 90 per cent of WSL games from next season

In October, it was announced that Sky Sports has signed a new five-year deal to broadcast the WSL – securing the rights to show nearly 90 per cent of the league’s games.

From next season, Sky will broadcast 118 matches from the WSL, up more than three times the number of games currently, with 78 fixtures shown exclusively.

With over 75 per cent of first picks plus all matches from the closing weekend exclusive to Sky, women’s football fans are guaranteed more of the best matches week in, week out from England’s top flight.

The new partnership also gives Sky the option to show matches from the Women’s Championship and Women’s League Cup, including the final. This brings both competitions onto Sky platforms for the first time.

In 2023, Sky Sports broadcast over 70 per cent of all live televised women’s sport. Women’s football can be enjoyed alongside England Cricket, The Hundred, US Open tennis, WTA Tour, women’s golf majors, England Netball, F1 Academy, WPL Cricket, women’s boxing, Women’s Super League (rugby league) and more.

Football fans can enjoy this huge increase of fixtures from the women’s game from next season at the same time as Sky’s record deal with the Premier League kicks in, including at least 215 matches – an increase of 70 per cent on exclusively live games.

Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season

From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.