Title play-offs could be brought into the Women’s Super League as part of radical plans to restructure the game.
The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), who took over the running of the WSL and the Championship from the Football Association last summer, is considering a number of options to reshape the first and second tiers.
Telegraph Sport has learnt that one proposal is the introduction of title play-offs from the 2026-27 season. It is unclear how this would work but it could be similar to the four-team play-off system the French league has had in place since last season.
In France, the four best teams meet in two semi-finals before the two winning teams play a one-off final to determine the league champions.
In the United States, the National Women’s Soccer League also has a play-off system, which consists of eight teams.
It is understood that there is a desire for the WSL champions to then play a match against the NWSL winners.
Telegraph Sport has also been told that another proposal involves the WSL splitting into two smaller divisions each season, like in Scotland, once each team has played each other home and away.
It has already been widely reported that the WPLL is considering removing relegation from the WSL and Championship. Telegraph Sport understands that the proposal on the table is to remove relegation from both leagues for one year for the 2025-26 season.
Clubs will vote on the proposals in June and eight of the 12 WSL clubs will have to support any changes for them to be approved.
The play-off system in France was brought in to try to increase competition because of Lyon’s dominance – they have won all but one league title since 2007. Lyon’s players were understood not to be happy about the change, believing it was punishing them for their success.
Chelsea have won the last five WSL titles and are on course to win a sixth this season.
It is understood the WPLL will work in collaboration with clubs over the several different routes relating to league expansion and competition structure.
Verdict: Title race delivers drama without play-offs
Title play-offs could create extra drama at the end of the season but most campaigns usually go down to the wire anyway. Chelsea may have the title wrapped up earlier this term but last season saw an epic race between them and Manchester City come to a conclusion on the final day.
When play-offs were introduced in France, Lyon’s players felt that they were being pulled down, rather than other clubs being encouraged to raise their standards to challenge them. No doubt Chelsea may feel the same if a play-off system is introduced.
The possibility of the WSL winners playing against the NWSL champions feels like it could be a good opportunity as a one-off fixture. It would not put a huge extra demand on players and they could switch the location between England and the United States each year.
While that would not put much extra strain on players, the league splitting into two may well do. Players have spoken regularly about the need for more breaks and how they believe increased demands may play a role in injuries. It is unclear how many extra games a possible split could bring. If each team only plays each other once more after the split, clubs would have five extra games. If they played each other home and away after the split, they would have 10, which seems too many to fit into an already congested calendar.
The removal of relegation, meanwhile, goes against English football’s principles. The FA, who retain a golden share of the women’s game, has said it would not accept a closed league long term but could be open to a brief removal of relegation if they were convinced it would benefit the game. Clubs have some big decisions to make in June.
Title play-offs could be brought into the Women’s Super League as part of radical plans to restructure the game.
The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), who took over the running of the WSL and the Championship from the Football Association last summer, is considering a number of options to reshape the first and second tiers.
Telegraph Sport has learnt that one proposal is the introduction of title play-offs from the 2026-27 season. It is unclear how this would work but it could be similar to the four-team play-off system the French league has had in place since last season.
In France, the four best teams meet in two semi-finals before the two winning teams play a one-off final to determine the league champions.
In the United States, the National Women’s Soccer League also has a play-off system, which consists of eight teams.
It is understood that there is a desire for the WSL champions to then play a match against the NWSL winners.
Telegraph Sport has also been told that another proposal involves the WSL splitting into two smaller divisions each season, like in Scotland, once each team has played each other home and away.
It has already been widely reported that the WPLL is considering removing relegation from the WSL and Championship. Telegraph Sport understands that the proposal on the table is to remove relegation from both leagues for one year for the 2025-26 season.
Clubs will vote on the proposals in June and eight of the 12 WSL clubs will have to support any changes for them to be approved.
The play-off system in France was brought in to try to increase competition because of Lyon’s dominance – they have won all but one league title since 2007. Lyon’s players were understood not to be happy about the change, believing it was punishing them for their success.
Chelsea have won the last five WSL titles and are on course to win a sixth this season.
It is understood the WPLL will work in collaboration with clubs over the several different routes relating to league expansion and competition structure.
Verdict: Title race delivers drama without play-offs
Title play-offs could create extra drama at the end of the season but most campaigns usually go down to the wire anyway. Chelsea may have the title wrapped up earlier this term but last season saw an epic race between them and Manchester City come to a conclusion on the final day.
When play-offs were introduced in France, Lyon’s players felt that they were being pulled down, rather than other clubs being encouraged to raise their standards to challenge them. No doubt Chelsea may feel the same if a play-off system is introduced.
The possibility of the WSL winners playing against the NWSL champions feels like it could be a good opportunity as a one-off fixture. It would not put a huge extra demand on players and they could switch the location between England and the United States each year.
While that would not put much extra strain on players, the league splitting into two may well do. Players have spoken regularly about the need for more breaks and how they believe increased demands may play a role in injuries. It is unclear how many extra games a possible split could bring. If each team only plays each other once more after the split, clubs would have five extra games. If they played each other home and away after the split, they would have 10, which seems too many to fit into an already congested calendar.
The removal of relegation, meanwhile, goes against English football’s principles. The FA, who retain a golden share of the women’s game, has said it would not accept a closed league long term but could be open to a brief removal of relegation if they were convinced it would benefit the game. Clubs have some big decisions to make in June.
