As part of a massive expansion of the professional game, the underlying plan to relegate from the Women's Super League is to be voted by the club at the end of the season.
Under the proposal developed by Women's Professional League Ltd and revealed on Thursday, the 12-team relegation from the WSL will halt from the 2026-27 season as part of a phased plan to expand both the top flight and the second championship to 16 teams.
Promotions from the championship will continue in attempts to expand the size and strength of the top flight, with one extra club in hospital each season over the next four years. The demotion could be revived in the 2030-31 campaign, but that's not guaranteed.
The plan received careful welcome from 23 WSL and Championship clubs at a quarterly shareholders meeting on Friday, in a presentation led by WPLL CEO Nikki Dessett. It is understood that the club agreed to continue discussing and refinement of the proposal before voting for a new structure at the end of the season.
Removal removal is the most controversial element, but many clubs are equally interested in the mechanisms used to determine promotion from the championship. Many models are understood to be under consideration, and several clubs are driving the playoff system.
While clubs seeking promotions must adhere to the minimum standard standards, there is a strong sense that performance on the field and league position should be the key factors rather than adopting the licensing system that rugby leagues bring to determine the composition of the Super League. Amidst a controversial change that shows women's desire for greater cooperation in games, the Championship is expected to be rebranded as WSL2 from next season.
WPLL declined to comment when contacted, but sources from the company currently responsible for running the women's games confirmed that the discussion would continue. The club will win final decisions at the end of the season meeting, but other stakeholders will also be consulted, including players, fans and the Football Association.
To pass the proposal, most two-thirds of the member club will need to vote in favor when it is reconvened at the end of April.
To change the demolition/promotion structure, at least eight clubs must vote in each division in an advantageous position. This is a voting structure that has a major impact on a small number of championship clubs. If the club agrees to the changes proposed by the WPLL, it will be passed to the FA Committee for ratification, but that is formal.
WPLL has achieved several notable successes since taking over the FA last summer, securing a five-year television deal with Sky Sports and the BBC over the past six months, and a three-year title sponsorship for WSL with Barclays worth £45 million, giving them confidence to pursue an expansionist agenda. The rationale behind the proposal is that by removing the threat of demobilization, it encourages owners to invest and support the development of more competitive WSLs.
After the newsletter promotion
Many clubs fear losing there, but it is recognized by the majority that structural changes could be beneficial. Chelsea have won five WSL titles and are undefeated this season under new manager Sonia Bonpaster, but the club promoted from the championship has struggled to make an impact. Bristol City was relegated after one season in the WSL, bringing one victory and six points, but Crystal Palace will chase them by returning straight this year as well.
Establishing a fully professional top two divisions of women's games was one of the key recommendations of the Karen Carney Review, commissioned by the government in 2023. Under Doucet's leadership, WPLL has decided to achieve it and is committed to expanding the entire pyramid.
Amid that setback to the agenda, the championship has been reduced to 11 clubs this season. The reading voluntarily fell to the fifth tier after owner Dai Yongge removed funds for women's businesses when he tried to sell the club. Turning to future expansion, WPLL had informal discussions with Premier League clubs with women teams outside the top two divisions, such as Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Brentford, to help women teams establish a level of commitment.
A club source attending the meeting on Friday said: They developed an interesting concept [are] Think about it. ”
