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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Exclusive by Tom Garry

Women’s Super League to keep relegation after talks over controversial pause

Crystal Palace, relegated from the WSL last month, concede a goal at Arsenal.
Crystal Palace, relegated from the WSL last month, concede a goal at Arsenal. Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters

Teams will continue to be relegated from the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship beyond 2026, the Guardian can reveal, with the idea of temporarily removing relegation no longer being pursued.

The company that runs the top two women’s divisions in England, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), had discussed a four-year pause to relegation to grow both leagues from 2026. That was one of a range of options that clubs and other stakeholders have been consulted on this season.

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