About Women's Super League
The Premier Women's Football League in England
Women's Super League (WSL)
The Women's Super League (WSL), officially known as the Barclays Women's Super League for sponsorship purposes and formerly the FA WSL, is the highest level of women's football in England. Established in 2010 by the Football Association, the league is now operated by WSL Football and features twelve fully professional teams.
The league replaced the FA Women's Premier League National Division as the top tier, launching with eight teams in the inaugural 2011 season, during which no teams were relegated.
League Overview
Seasonal Format
Initially, the WSL broke away from the traditional football calendar, playing a summer season from 2011 to 2016 (March–October).
- 2017–18 onward: Returned to the traditional September–May winter format.
- 2014–2018: Introduced two divisions (WSL 1 and WSL 2), creating a promotion and relegation system.
- 2018–19: WSL 2 was renamed the FA Women's Championship, later rebranded as Women's Super League 2 in 2025.
The top three WSL teams qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League.
Current champions: Chelsea (2024–25), winning their eighth title and sixth consecutive championship.
History
Planned as a replacement for the FA Women's Premier League National Division, but launch delayed due to the global economic downturn.
- Inaugural season began on 13 April 2011 at Imperial Fields with Chelsea vs. Arsenal (Chelsea lost 1–0).
- Eight teams participated.
- FA WSL 2 introduced (second division).
- Manchester City awarded WSL 1 licence.
- Doncaster Rovers Belles relegated and unsuccessfully appealed.
- FA announced the league would return to a winter schedule.
- FA WSL Spring Series 2017 served as a transition season.
- League became fully professional.
- Teams required to offer minimum 16-hour contracts and maintain a youth academy.
League expanded to 12 teams with Manchester United and Tottenham promoted.
COVID-19 pandemic curtailed season; Chelsea crowned champions via points-per-game.
Clubs formed a new governing body, NewCo, later WSL Football.
Expansion to 14 teams announced for 2026–27, with promotion/relegation play-offs introduced.