Women's Super League to discuss removing relegation as part of 'radical proposal' which could change landscape of English football

According to The Guardian,23 clubs from the WSL and Championship will gather to discuss plans for the future of the sport, where they are going to deliberate on the potential removal of relegation. The meeting comes at a time when women's football in England is experiencing rapid growth, aided by new television deals and increased commercial backing. Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd (WPLL), the company overseeing both the WSL and Championship, is eager to build on this momentum.

One of the most notable proposals being discussed involves an expansion of both the WSL and the Championship. However, under this plan, there would initially be no relegation between the two leagues. The idea is to foster a more competitive environment without the pressure of relegation, which could encourage owners to invest more in developing their clubs and the league as a whole. The restructuring would not be implemented until the 2026-27 season at the earliest, and it is still uncertain when a formal vote will take place.

Eliminating relegation could create a more stable environment for clubs to invest in their squads and infrastructure, without the looming threat of relegation that currently hangs over the teams in the lower half of the WSL. Chelsea’s dominance in recent seasons, having won five consecutive WSL titles, underscores the competitive gap that exists between the top and bottom clubs. By removing relegation, the league could potentially encourage greater investment from club owners, knowing that their place in the top flight is secure.

WPLL’s efforts have already borne fruit, securing a five-year broadcast agreement with Sky Sports and the BBC worth £65m. They have also struck a three-year title sponsorship deal with Barclays, valued at £45m. These successes have spurred the WPLL to consider bold moves for further expansion and long-term sustainability.

Another proposal under consideration is the idea of maintaining promotion from the Championship to the WSL, but without any relegation from the top tier. This would allow the WSL to expand gradually with one new club added to the roster every season.

Alongside the structural changes to the WSL, there are also plans to rebrand the Championship, with the potential renaming of the division to WSL2. This change could take place as early as next season, reflecting the growing professionalism and importance of the second tier. However, the Championship has faced its own challenges, including the recent withdrawal of Reading due to financial difficulties, leaving the division with just 11 teams this season.