WSL Rebrands Championship as WSL2 with Expanded Clubs and Enhanced Professionalisation
The Women's Super League (WSL) has rebranded its Championship division as WSL2, officially expanding the number of clubs in the WSL to 24, with plans to reach 26 soon. This rebrand marks a significant step towards unifying the branding of both leagues as a single entity, emphasizing the competitive two-league race to the top.
For the first time, WSL2 is featured in the official WSL Panini sticker album, which includes 64 WSL2 collectibles and 48 players, ensuring every club is represented. This inclusion has helped players feel more seen and valued.
In an effort to bring both leagues together under a consistent brand, WSL Football has aligned branding initiatives across its website, app, and partnerships. Commercial deals with Nike and Apple have been expanded to cover all 24 clubs. Nike provides boots and gloves, while Apple supplies products to all clubs, including Durham, with dedicated activation plans across the teams.
WSL2 will see a professionalisation upgrade that introduces minimum standards to make the league fully professional. This includes support from the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), a minimum salary for players, and new roles such as performance wellbeing managers and safeguarding officers to enhance the care of players.
All matches from both the WSL and WSL2 will now be available on YouTube, increasing accessibility and exposure for the leagues. The promotion rules have also broadened, with up to three promotion spots available this season. Next season, two automatic promotions will be granted, along with a playoff for a third promotion spot against the bottom team in the WSL. These playoffs will be broadcast on Sky and BBC.
Players have reported feeling more recognized under this new structure and anticipate higher attendances at games. There is an expectation of broader sustainability across the football pyramid as investment and public attention toward the women's leagues continue to grow.
