Sheffield United have been given a reprieve from relegation and will remain in the second tier, WSL 2, next season. The decision, confirmed by the Football Association, follows Blackburn’s decision to withdraw from the division for financial reasons.
Sheffield United finished bottom last season but have met all the requirements for a WSL 2 licence. Burnley, a third-tier club, also applied to fill the vacancy left by Blackburn after pledging to move to full-time status. It means there will be 12 teams in WSL 2 next term, avoiding a repeat of the 2024-25 campaign when 11 teams participated after the withdrawal of Reading last June.