WSL Expansion Announced- What does this mean for the future of Women’s Football?

On Monday the 16th of June, it was decided that the WSL would be expanding to 14 teams and 26 games for the 26/27 season (subject to approval by the FA Board). This announcement marks a key turning point in the future of women’s football in England. Not only will two more teams get the chance to play top flight football, but creates a golden opportunity for investment in the game throughout the pyramid.

The top two teams of the WSL 2 next season will secure automatic promotion to the WSL. A play-off match will then take place between the 12th place team from the WSL, and the 3rd place side of the WSL 2. The victor in this match will secure the 14th and final place in the expanded WSL in 2026.

This decision was taken after growing debate around what the future of women’s football should look like in England. Exponential growth took place after the Lionesses won the Women’s Euros in 2022. More people became interested in the International women’s game. Come September, many new fans followed the Lionesses back to their domestic sides or took interest in their local teams. Since then, this growth has been sustained and attendance at WSL matches has been consistently high. However, the domestic pyramid goes far beyond the top 12.

Since its inception, the 2nd Tier of Women’s football in England was known as the Women’s Championship. From next season onwards it will be known as the WSL 2. This move alone ties the 2nd League more closely to the top. I think the Championship has been very divorced from the top flight.

When Liverpool FC Women played in the Championship for two seasons, I found it a struggle to follow matches. Score updates were slow and unreliable, much like the streams when games were available to watch from home. I think it’s a shame that the Women’s Championship hasn’t been more integrated into programming like the BBC’s Final Score. If the men’s game can get coverage all the way down to the National League, surely the second tier of the women’s football pyramid deserves adequate coverage?

Financially, there can be no doubt the WSL 2 has second rate funding. Blackburn Rovers have withdrawn from the WSL 2 next season due to financial pressures. While there have been attempts to divert funding down the pyramid, the majority of the money in the women’s game is concentrated among a handful of clubs. 

WSL 2 clubs may take the chance of WSL promotion as an incentive to invest this summer. The Euros is a good chance to scout players, and should bring with it another fresh round of interest in the Women’s game. 

The bottom half of the WSL should also be aware of resting on their laurels. It may appear that the WSL’s bottom side should have the edge in the 3rd place play off. But, in a single game anything could happen. Missing out on the first season of the expanded WSL would be devastating, so there will be an extra edge to next season’s relegation battle.

Concerns about how the extra matches will be scheduled have already been expressed. I personally think it will be exciting to have more games to watch. It does feel like the WSL starts late and finishes early currently. A longer season should be popular so long as it does not compromise the health of players. 

Next season will be key for the long term future of Women’s Football. The work starts now for clubs to improve their investment in facilities, training, and talent to ensure they can be a part of the ambitious 14 Team WSL. 

All images are the author’s own.

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