WSL Playoff: Second Tier to Host Top Flight in Promotion/Relegation Battle
The Women’s Super League (WSL) has confirmed details surrounding its promotion-relegation playoff and finalized dates for the conclusion of the current season, alongside revealing the start and end dates for the 2026-27 campaign.
In a first for the English women’s top flight, the team finishing third in the WSL 2 will host the WSL’s bottom-placed side in a one-leg playoff on , with a kick-off. The match will be broadcast live on both BBC Two and Sky Sports. This structure grants the WSL 2 team home advantage, a decision that will be re-evaluated for future seasons.
Currently, Leicester City occupies the bottom spot in the WSL, trailing Liverpool by one point and West Ham United by two, though they do possess a game in hand over both. In WSL 2, Crystal Palace currently holds the third position, closely pursued by Bristol City and Newcastle United.
The introduction of this playoff system coincides with the WSL’s expansion to 14 teams this summer. From the next season onwards, the playoff will feature the runners-up from WSL 2 facing the second-bottom team in the WSL. No decision has yet been made regarding whether future playoffs will continue to award home advantage to the WSL 2 representative.
WSL Football has also announced the scheduling for the final rounds of the current regular season. All six WSL 2 matches will conclude on , with a uniform kick-off time and live coverage on YouTube, with Sky Sports retaining the option to select a game for broadcast. The top two teams in WSL 2 will secure automatic promotion to the WSL.
The WSL season will draw to a close on , with all six fixtures kicking off at and being shown live on Sky Sports. Notably, this date aligns with the men’s FA Cup final, a day without Premier League matches.
League Standings and Key Performances
As of , Manchester City Women lead the WSL table with 42 points from 16 matches, boasting a record of 14 wins, 0 draws, and 2 losses. They have scored 47 goals and conceded only 13, resulting in a goal difference of +34. Manchester United Women are in second place with 34 points, followed closely by Chelsea Women with 33 points. Arsenal Women currently sit in fourth place with 29 points after 14 games played.
Tottenham Hotspur are sixth with 29 points, while London City Lionesses are seventh with 19 points. Brighton & Hove Albion are eighth with 17 points, followed by Everton with 17 points. Aston Villa are tenth with 16 points, West Ham United are eleventh with 11 points, Liverpool are twelfth with 10 points, and Leicester City are at the bottom with 9 points.
Looking Ahead to the 2026-27 Season
WSL Football has also revealed the start and end weekends for the 2026-27 season. Both the WSL and WSL 2 campaigns are scheduled to commence across the weekend of , with the season concluding on . This provides clubs with a clear timeframe for planning and preparation for the upcoming seasons.
The playoff system, coupled with the league expansion, represents a significant step in the professionalization and growth of women’s football in England. The decision to grant home advantage to the WSL 2 team in the initial playoff is a notable one, aiming to provide a competitive balance in this crucial match. The upcoming weeks promise a thrilling conclusion to the current season, with the relegation battle in the WSL and the promotion race in WSL 2 set to go down to the wire.