Women's Super League
The Women's Super League (WSL, or currently known as the Barclays Women's Super League for sponsorship reasons) is the highest league of women's football in England. Established in 2010, it was run by the Football Association through the 2023–24 season, and currently features 12 fully professional teams. It will expand to 14 teams in 2026–27.
| {{{leaguename}}} | ||
| Country | England | |
| Founded | 22 March 2010 Displaced Premier League National as level 1 division | |
| Current champions | ||
| Website | Official website | |
It was founded as the FA Women's Super League (FA WSL) in 2010, and planned to start play that year, but its first season was delayed to 2011. Originally, the WSL played a summer schedule, starting its season in April and ending it in August. As the league expanded, the season start moved to March and the end to September. In 2016, the FA announced that it would change the WSL calendar to a winter schedule, starting in September and ending the following May. This aligned the women's league season with English men's seasons. A shortened season called the FA WSL Spring Series took place from February to May 2017, bridging the transition from a summer season to a winter season.
In November 2023, all 24 teams in the WSL and the second tier of English women's football, the Women's Championship (since renamed Women's Super League 2), agreed to form a new organisation to run the women's professional game in England, taking over from the FA. The organisation was named NewCo, and Nikki Doucet was named CEO.[1][2] Starting with the 2024–25 season, the company was known as Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).[3][4] After the season, the organisation rebranded once again and is now known as WSL Football.[5]
Women's Super League Media
Arsenal and Notts County during the 2014 season
Arsenal's Ellen White (L) and Steph Houghton (R) with the previous WSL trophy during the inaugural 2011 season
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References
- ↑ Simmons, Kelly. Get the big decisions right and this can be a landmark year for women's football. The Guardian (25 January 2024). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ↑ Nikki Doucet appointed as NewCo CEO. The FA (28 November 2023). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ↑ Statement: Women's Professional Leagues Limited. The FA (2024-08-15). Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ↑ Sanders, Emma. Women's Professional Leagues Limited: What are the priorities for the new WSL company this season?. BBC Sport (2024-09-11). Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ↑ Feringa, Megan. Women’s Super League announces rebrand with new league name and 'visual identity'. The New York Times (12 May 2025). Retrieved 17 May 2025.