WSL on the verge of making major revamps as they are considering suggestions of scrapping relegation altogether.
WSL is considering abolishing relegation as part of a radical proposal to grow the sport that will be discussed by the clubs.
The newly established organisation that oversees both leagues, Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd., has invited the 23 WSL and Championship clubs to a strategy summit where they will be asked to consider a variety of possibilities to raise the awareness, sustainability, and financial success of women’s football.
Under the direction of chief executive Nikki Doucet, the WPLL took over the WSL and Championship from the FA last summer and is keen to pursue an expansionist agenda. The new business has already achieved success, landing a three-year title sponsorship for the WSL with Barclays for £45 million and a new five-year TV agreement with Sky Sports and the BBC worth £65 million.
Encouraged by these new agreements and Chelsea’s historic acquisition of Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave, the first $1 million women’s player, WPLL is eager to investigate its options for future expansion.
The WSL and Championship would both be expanded as part of one of the plans to be addressed today, with the understanding that there would not be any initial relegation between the two levels.
The clubs are open to any ideas that could help the sport flourish, and bold proposals will be on the agenda, according to a source who will be participating in Friday’s discussions.
At the latest, the 2026–2027 season would mark the introduction of the structural modifications. When the suggestions will be presented to the clubs for a formal vote is unknown.
The idea is that by eliminating the possibility of relegation, owners would be more inclined to make investments and contribute to the creation of a more competitive league, which is currently dominated by Chelsea, the reigning WSL champion.
Maintaining promotion from the Championship without being relegated from the top flight is another concept that will be addressed. This would allow the WSL to progressively grow by one team each season.
The process for choosing which clubs will enter the expanded WSL will be controversial, in addition to the controversial elimination of relegation.