Leicester City Women have been relegated from the Women's Super League for the 2026-27 season. The club's drop was confirmed as part of the league's structural changes, which were outlined in a report by the BBC this week.
The upcoming campaign will see a significant shift, with the WSL expanding from 12 to 14 teams. Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, and Charlton Athletic have all earned promotion to take their places in the top flight. This means the total number of league fixtures will rise to 182, with each side playing 26 matches.
When does the new WSL season start?
The 2026-27 Women's Super League season is scheduled to begin on Friday, 4 September 2026. It will run through to its conclusion on Saturday, 22 May 2027. A winter break is pencilled in from 21 December 2026 until 10 January 2027, giving squads a mid-season pause. The Women's FA Cup final for the season is set for Saturday, 15 May 2027. Fans can track all key dates for the Foxes on our dedicated fixtures page.
How can fans watch the WSL next season?
Broadcast coverage for the league is set to be extensive. Sky Sports will show the majority of matches throughout the season. The BBC will also broadcast 25 WSL games live across its TV channels and iPlayer service. Their first free-to-air match of the campaign will be Chelsea against Aston Villa on Saturday, 5 September 2026, with a 12:30 BST kick-off. Selected fixtures will also be available to stream for free on the official WSL YouTube channel. For highlights and exclusive features, the dedicated BBC Women's Football YouTube channel will be a key destination.
What does relegation mean for Leicester?
Relegation marks a difficult chapter for Leicester City Women, who will now compete outside the WSL. The expansion of the league meant only a limited number of spots were available, and the club ultimately made the journey in the opposite direction from the promoted sides. The focus will now turn to rebuilding and planning for a future promotion challenge. Supporters can keep up with the first-team squad composition via our squad list.
The expanded 14-team WSL promises a longer and more competitive season. With more matches and increased broadcast visibility, the profile of the women's game continues to grow. The final matchday of the 2026-27 season is scheduled for 22 May 2027.
