{{Short description|Association football league in England}} {{About|the association football competition in England|the rugby league competition in England|RFL Women's Super League||Women's Super League (disambiguation)}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox football league |name = Women's Super League |logo = FA Women's Super League.png |pixels = |organiser = WSL Football |founded = {{start date and age|2010|3|df=y}} |first = 2011 |country = England |confed = UEFA |teams = 14 |levels = 1 |relegation = Women's Super League 2 |league_cup = Women's League Cup |domest_cup = Women's FA Cup |confed_cup = UEFA Women's Champions League<br>UEFA Women's Europa Cup |champions = Manchester City (2nd title) |season = 2025–26 |most_champs = {{ubl|Chelsea (8 titles)}} |website = {{official URL}} |tv = Sky Sports<br />BBC Sport<br />see broadcasting for international |current = 2026–27 Women's Super League |top_goalscorer = Vivianne Miedema (97) }}
The '''Women's Super League''' ('''WSL'''), also known as the '''Barclays Women's Super League''' for sponsorship reasons, and formerly the '''FA WSL''', is a professional association football league and the highest level of women's football in England. Currently operated by WSL Football, the league was established in 2010 by the Football Association (FA) and features fourteen fully professional teams. The league replaced the FA Women's Premier League National Division as the highest level of women's football in England, with eight teams competing in the inaugural 2011 season. In the WSL's first two seasons, there was no relegation from the division.
The WSL discarded the winter football season for six years, between 2011 and 2016, playing through the summer instead (from March until October). Since 2017–18, the WSL has operated as a winter league running from September to May, as was traditional before 2011. From 2014 to 2017–18, the Women's Super League consisted of two divisions—FA WSL 1 and FA WSL 2—and brought a promotion and relegation system to the WSL. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, the second division was renamed the FA Women's Championship. After the 2024–25 season, it was rebranded once again and is now known as the Women's Super League 2.
The WSL champions, runners-up and third-placed team qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League the following season. Since its inception, four clubs have won the title: Chelsea (8), Arsenal (3), Liverpool (2) and Manchester City (2). The current WSL champions are Manchester City, who won their second title in the 2025–26 season.
==History== The FA WSL was due to start in 2010 to replace the FA Women's Premier League National Division as the top level of women's football in England but was deferred for a year due to the global economic downturn.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anger at delay of women's summer Super League |first=Tony |last=Leighton |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 April 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/06/womens-football-super-league-fa |access-date=2010-03-08 |archive-date=25 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025084924/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/06/womens-football-super-league-fa |url-status=live }}</ref> Sixteen clubs applied for 8 places in the inaugural season of the league: Arsenal, Barnet, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Colchester United, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton, Leeds Carnegie, Leicester City, Lincoln Ladies, Liverpool, Millwall Lionesses, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Sunderland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Super League's Sixteen Applicants |work=Shekicks |date=7 January 2010 |url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/38 |access-date=2010-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324085639/http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/38 |archive-date=24 March 2010}}</ref> Leeds Carnegie later withdrew their application.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leeds Carnegie could fold after ending Super League interest |author=Tony Leighton |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 January 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/25/leeds-carnegie-fa-super-league |access-date=2010-03-08 |archive-date=29 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129081559/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/25/leeds-carnegie-fa-super-league |url-status=live }}</ref> Women's Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers and Watford declined to apply.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rovers decide against Super League |work=Blackburn Rovers |date=20 January 2010 |url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/LadiesNews/0,,10303~1938465,00.html |access-date=2010-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329034057/http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/LadiesNews/0%2C%2C10303~1938465%2C00.html |archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref> FA Chief Executive Ian Watmore described the creation of the league as a "top priority" in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Watmore outlines top priorities |publisher=The Football Association |date=22 February 2010 |url=https://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2010/WatmoreManagementTeam.aspx |access-date=2010-03-08 |archive-date=28 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528133148/https://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2010/WatmoreManagementTeam.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
The inaugural WSL season kicked off on 13 April 2011 at Imperial Fields, Chelsea's home ground, with a match between Chelsea and Arsenal, which Chelsea lost 1–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whole new ball game: How Chelsea Women kicked off WSL era 10 years ago today |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210516165657/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/04/13/whole-new-ball-game--how-chelsea-women-kicked-off-wsl-era-10-yea |archive-date=16 May 2021 |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/04/13/whole-new-ball-game--how-chelsea-women-kicked-off-wsl-era-10-yea |date=13 April 2021 |website=chelseafc.com |access-date=16 May 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
For the 2014 season, a second division was created named FA WSL 2, with nine teams and one team being relegated from the WSL 1. WSL 1 remained as eight teams, with the WSL 2 having ten teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/fa-wsl-applications-2014.aspx|title=FA WSL 2014: Applications|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=27 May 2013|archive-date=13 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313125548/http://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/fa-wsl-applications-2014.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/~/media/C59A214D19F44A42AD0475172F422B41.ashx|title=FA WSL 2014-2018 brochure|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422182759/https://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/~/media/C59A214D19F44A42AD0475172F422B41.ashx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/~/media/D8A111434B7D4BC0AAEAF9311328E138.ashx|title=The FA WSL Club Development Plan|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=27 May 2013|archive-date=22 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422080530/https://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/~/media/D8A111434B7D4BC0AAEAF9311328E138.ashx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/News/fawsl/2013/mar/fawsl-club-bids-2014|title=Clubs bid for WSL spot|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=27 May 2013|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117164749/http://www.thefa.com/News/fawsl/2013/mar/fawsl-club-bids-2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The new WSL 1 licence was awarded to Manchester City. Doncaster Rovers Belles were relegated to the WSL 2. They appealed against their demotion but were unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baber|first=Mark|title=Doncaster Belles lose appeal over demotion from Women's Super League|url=http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/europe/12809-doncaster-belles-lose-appeal-over-demotion-from-women-s-super-league|publisher=Inside World Football|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041935/http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-football/europe/12809-doncaster-belles-lose-appeal-over-demotion-from-women-s-super-league|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In December 2014, the FA WSL announced a two-year plan to expand the WSL 1 from an eight to a ten-team league. Two teams were promoted from the WSL 2 at the end of the 2015 season, while one team was relegated to the WSL 2 with the same happening at the end of the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_wsl_2_promotion_announcement.html|title=FA WSL 2 promotion announcement|publisher=Faws1.com|access-date=18 December 2014|archive-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420010456/http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_wsl_2_promotion_announcement.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30298483|title=Women's Super League to be expanded from 2015|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 December 2014|archive-date=4 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204065923/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30298483|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, for the first time, a team from the FA Women's Premier League earned a promotion to WSL 2, effectively connecting the WSL to the rest of the English women's football pyramid.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32867783 | title=Sheffield FC beat Portsmouth in Women's Premier League play-off | publisher=BBC | date=24 May 2015 | access-date=29 July 2015 | archive-date=24 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924223810/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32867783 | url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:Rachel Yankey Rachel Corsie Arsenal Ladies Vs Notts County (18425487161).jpg|thumb|300px|Arsenal and Notts County during the 2014 season]]The FA announced in July 2016 that the league would move from a summer league format to a winter league, in line with the traditional football calendar in England, with matches played from September to May the following year. A shortened bridging season took place, branded as the FA WSL Spring Series, with teams playing each other once from February to May 2017.<ref name="FAWinterAnnouncement">{{cite web|title=FA Women's Super League to move to new calendar in 2017|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_womens_super_league_to_move_to_new_calendar_in_2017.html|website=The FA Women's Super League|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=12 July 2016|date=12 July 2016|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214546/http://www.fawsl.com/news/fa_womens_super_league_to_move_to_new_calendar_in_2017.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following the 2017–18 FA WSL season, WSL 1 was renamed back to the FA Women's Super League, becoming a fully professional league for the first time, with eleven teams for the 2018–19 season.<ref name="2018Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/28/west-ham-winners-sunderland-losers-womens-football-super-league|title=West Ham the big winners, Sunderland key losers in women's football revamp|author=Louise Taylor|date=28 May 2018|access-date=29 May 2018|work=The Guardian|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235036/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/28/west-ham-winners-sunderland-losers-womens-football-super-league|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/new_look_revealed_for_fa_womens_super_league.html#v3vGVjqY6MRsiCSS.97|title=New look revealed for FA Women's Super League|access-date=7 June 2018|date=6 June 2018|website=fawsl.com|publisher=The Football Association|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906195441/http://www.fawsl.com/news/new_look_revealed_for_fa_womens_super_league.html#v3vGVjqY6MRsiCSS.97|url-status=live}}</ref> Teams had to re-apply for their licence to earn their place in the league, requiring clubs to offer their players a minimum 16-hour a week contract and to form a youth academy as compulsory for the new licence criteria. Sunderland was moved down to tier 3 in the women's football pyramid after not receiving a licence whilst Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United were added to the league.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45355268|title=Women's Super League: New full-time, professional era - all you need to know|date=2018-09-09|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=18 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118174953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45355268|url-status=live}}</ref>
The league was extended to twelve teams for the 2019–20 season, with Yeovil Town relegated after going into administration and being replaced by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who gained promotion from the Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/fa-wsl-clubs-lowdown-300819|title=Delightful Dozen|date=2019-08-30|website=The FA|access-date=2019-09-17}}</ref>
In May 2020, the league was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chelsea were declared champions of the season based on a points-per-game average.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stonelake |first=Anthony |date=2020-05-15 |title=Women's Super League Season to End |url=https://herfootballhub.com/womens-super-league-season-to-end/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Her Football Hub |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018054318/https://herfootballhub.com/womens-super-league-season-to-end/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season, four first-team managers resigned from their positions at WSL clubs Birmingham, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. Birmingham's outgoing manager Carla Ward questioned the commitment of some of the clubs involved in WSL,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Carla Ward resigns as Birmingham City Women head coach after 'unsustainable' season |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210514135854/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/28508/12306123/carla-ward-resigns-as-birmingham-city-women-head-coach |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/28508/12306123/carla-ward-resigns-as-birmingham-city-women-head-coach |date=14 May 2021 |archive-date=14 May 2021 |last=Dale |first=James |work=Sky Sports |location=United Kingdom |access-date=14 May 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> whilst Manchester United's outgoing manager Casey Stoney allegedly quit because of unresolved issues surrounding lack of training facilities and other infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Casey Stoney resigns as Manchester United Women head coach |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210514141912/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12304524/casey-stoney-resigns-as-manchester-united-women-head-coach |archive-date=14 May 2021 |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/12304524/casey-stoney-resigns-as-manchester-united-women-head-coach |date=13 May 2021 |work=Sky Sports |location=United Kingdom |access-date=14 May 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2023, all 24 Women's Super League and Women's Championship clubs unanimously 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simmons |first1=Kelly |title=Get the big decisions right and this can be a landmark year for women's football |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2024/jan/25/get-the-big-decisions-right-landmark-year-womens-football-wsl-fa-premier-league |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=25 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nikki Doucet appointed as NewCo CEO |url=https://womensleagues.thefa.com/nikki-doucet-appointed-as-newco-ceo |website=The FA |access-date=1 April 2024 |date=28 November 2023 |archive-date=1 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401095858/https://womensleagues.thefa.com/nikki-doucet-appointed-as-newco-ceo |url-status=live }}</ref> Starting with the 2024–25 season, the company was known as Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-15 |title=Statement: Women's Professional Leagues Limited |url=https://womensleagues.thefa.com/statement-womens-professional-leagues-limited/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=The FA |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914163216/https://womensleagues.thefa.com/statement-womens-professional-leagues-limited/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=2024-09-11 |title=Women's Professional Leagues Limited: What are the priorities for the new WSL company this season? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8er0w48kn0o |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924043831/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8er0w48kn0o |url-status=live }}</ref> After the season, the organisation rebranded once again and is now known as WSL Football.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Feringa |first1=Megan |last2=Joseph |first2=Sam |title=Women's Super League announces rebrand with new league name and 'visual identity' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6349279/2025/05/12/wsl-rebrand-new-logo/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 May 2025 |date=12 May 2025}}</ref>
In June 2025, it was announced that the WSL would expand to 14 teams from the 2026–27 season onwards. As a result, the 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 season directly promoted two teams, while the last-placed WSL team played in a promotion/relegation play-off against the third-placed WSL 2 side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4grnrg8dy8o|title=WSL expanding to 14 teams - but relegation remains|last=Sanders|first=Emma|website=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2025|access-date=8 July 2025}}</ref>
==Competition structure== {| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align: center;" |- bgcolor="dddddd" !Season(s) !! Teams |- | 2011 to 2015 || 8 |- | 2016 || 9 |- | 2017–18|| 10 |- | 2018–19|| 11 |- | 2019–20 to 2025–26|| 12 |- |2026–27 onwards ||14 |}
The Women's Super League currently consists of fourteen clubs. Initially the league was described as professional, with the top four players on each team being paid an annual salary in excess of £20,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=FA to launch full-time professional Women's Super League in 2011 |author=Tony Leighton |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 November 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/01/womens-super-league-launch-fa |access-date=2010-03-08}}</ref> However, in November 2010 it was confirmed that the WSL would be semi-professional, with only a "handful" of top players full-time.<ref name="meltdown">{{cite news |title=FA confident 'Super League' will not suffer financial meltdown |author=Tony Leighton |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 November 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/14/fa-womens-super-league |access-date=2010-11-23 |archive-date=8 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408013352/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/14/fa-womens-super-league |url-status=live }}</ref> Clubs' annual wage bills were expected to be approximately one-tenth of those in the now-defunct American Women's Professional Soccer.<ref name="meltdown"/>
The 2011 season included a mid-season break from 12 May 2011, to allow for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. The season then resumed in early July, finishing in August 2011.<ref name=uefa>{{cite news|title=FA WSL launches with derbies|publisher=UEFA|date=23 December 2010|url=https://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/01ec-0e13cfb88847-405e110e5e75-1000--fa-wsl-launches-with-derbies/|access-date=2010-12-27|archive-date=26 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026043631/http://www.uefa.com/womenschampionsleague/news/newsid=1582956.html?rss=1582956+FA+WSL+launches+with+derbies|url-status=live}}</ref>
All WSL teams compete in a knock-out cup competition, the Women's League Cup.<ref>{{cite web |title=The FA brings the Continental Shot Stoppers Road Show to Everton|work=Conti.de |date=27 July 2011 |url=http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/contisoccerworld/themes/03_presscenter/01_pressnews/dl_pr_2011_0727_en.doc|access-date=2011-08-10|author=Laura Hardy}}</ref> For the 2014 season, the teams were placed into three regional groups of six. The group winners and best-performing runners-up all advanced to a knockout semi-final.<ref>[http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/469/Seasons/4180/Stages/8671 WSL Continental Cup Group A] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028030345/http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/469/Seasons/4180/Stages/8671 |date=28 October 2014 }} WhoScored.com Accessed 17-04014</ref> Since the 2015 season, the League Cup have been played simultaneously with the league season.
Following a review, the FA announced in September 2017 that a restructuring of the league and its licensing criteria would follow from the 2017–18 season with a goal of a fully professional top division of between 8 and 14 teams and a second division of up to 12 semi-professional teams.<ref name="1718 restructure">{{cite web|author1=The Football Association|title=FA to restructure women's football pyramid at elite level|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/sep/26/fa-restructure-womens-football-pyramid-wsl-wpl-270917|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=27 September 2017|date=27 September 2017|archive-date=8 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208082721/http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/sep/26/fa-restructure-womens-football-pyramid-wsl-wpl-270917|url-status=live}}</ref> For the 2018–19 season, the league became fully professional.<ref name="2018Guardian"/>
==Clubs== The following fourteen clubs will compete in the 2026–27 season:
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Team !! Location !! Main home ground !! Capacity !! data-sort-type=number|2025–26 position |- | Arsenal|| London {{small|(Holloway)}} || Emirates Stadium|| style="text-align:center" | 60,704 ||style="text-align:center"| 2nd |- | Aston Villa || Birmingham || Villa Park ||style="text-align:center"| 42,640 ||style="text-align:center"| 9th |- |Birmingham City |Birmingham |St Andrew's | style="text-align: center;" |29,409 | style="text-align: center;" |WSL 2, 1st |- | Brighton & Hove Albion|| Crawley|| Broadfield Stadium|| style="text-align:center" | 6,134 || style="text-align:center" | 7th |- | Charlton Athletic || London {{small|(Charlton)}} || The Valley || style="text-align:center" | 27,111 || style="text-align:center" | WSL 2, 3rd |- | Chelsea|| London {{small|(Fulham)}} || Stamford Bridge || style="text-align:center" | 40,044 || style="text-align:center" | 3rd |- |Crystal Palace |London {{small|(Sutton)}} |Gander Green Lane | style="text-align: center;" |7,032 | style="text-align: center;" |WSL 2, 2nd |- | Everton|| Liverpool || Goodison Park ||style="text-align:center"| 39,414 ||style="text-align:center"| 8th |- | Liverpool|| St Helens|| BrewDog Stadium|| style="text-align:center" | 18,000 || style="text-align:center" | 11th |- | London City Lionesses|| London {{small|(Bromley)}}|| Hayes Lane|| style="text-align:center" | 5,000 || style="text-align:center" | 6th |- | Manchester City|| Manchester|| Academy Stadium|| style="text-align:center" | 7,000 || style="text-align:center" | 1st |- | Manchester United|| Leigh|| Leigh Sports Village|| style="text-align:center" | 12,000|| style="text-align:center" | 4th |- | Tottenham Hotspur|| London {{small|(Leyton)}}|| Brisbane Road|| style="text-align:center" | 9,271|| style="text-align:center" | 5th |- | West Ham United|| London {{small|(Dagenham)}}|| Victoria Road|| style="text-align:center" | 6,078 || style="text-align:center" | 10th |}
==Players== [[File:Ellen White and Steph Houghton (cropped).JPG|thumb|200px|Arsenal's Ellen White (L) and Steph Houghton (R) with the previous WSL trophy during the inaugural 2011 season]] In the first season of the WSL clubs were subject to a squad cap of 20 players. This proved unpopular with both managers and players.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matt Beard/ Chelsea LFC|url=http://www.shekicks.net/flog/interviews/post/404|publisher=shekicks.net|access-date=2012-04-08|date=2011-09-06|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050526/http://www.shekicks.net/flog/interviews/post/404|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WSL progress continuing, says Liverpool's Vicky Jones|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13762946|access-date=2012-04-08|date=2011-06-15}}</ref> Ahead of the 2012 season, the rule was reviewed and the cap increased to 23 players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_15_to_20.html|title=FAQ's - 15 to 20|website=fawsl.com|access-date=2018-04-14|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815091316/http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_15_to_20.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Players from outside the European Union, like their male counterparts, are subject to Home Office work permit regulations.<ref name="faqfifteen">{{cite web|title=FAQ's 15 to 20|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_15_to_20.html|publisher=FAWSL|access-date=2012-04-08|date=2012-04-03|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815091316/http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_15_to_20.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The FA said in April 2012 that the salary rule of allowing only four players per team to earn over £20,000 and that all clubs are paid £70,000 per season from a Club Development Fund should limit any financial "imbalance" between clubs.<ref name="faqtwentyone">{{cite web|title=FAQ's 21 to 28|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_21_to_28.html|publisher=FAWSL|access-date=2012-04-08|date=2012-04-03|archive-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427234918/http://www.fawsl.com/news/faqs_21_to_28.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the introduction of a genuine salary cap remained under consideration for 2013 and beyond.<ref name="faqfifteen" /> Doncaster manager John Buckley revealed that his club lost Rachel Williams and other players to Birmingham City because he was working to a budget eight times smaller than that enjoyed by Birmingham.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Buckley – We Were Outclassed|url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/buckley_we_were_outclassed.html |publisher=Doncaster Rovers Belles |access-date=9 April 2012 |date=5 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201132/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/buckley_we_were_outclassed.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
When the 2012 WPS season was cancelled in the United States, Lincoln Ladies manager Glen Harris said that the next destination of that league's British players would be decided by "pounds, shillings and pence."<ref>{{cite web|title=Lincoln Ladies boss Glen Harris continues search for global talent|url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-Ladies-boss-Glen-Harris-continues-search/story-15190708-detail/story.html|work=Lincolnshire Echo|access-date=2012-04-09|date=2012-02-13|first=Mark|last=Whiley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216110332/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-Ladies-boss-Glen-Harris-continues-search/story-15190708-detail/story.html|archive-date=16 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately Kelly Smith, Alex Scott and Gemma Davison all joined Arsenal,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17316524 |title=England's Kelly Smith and Alex Scott rejoin Arsenal Ladies |date=9 March 2012 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420090505/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17316524 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/ladies-news/gemma-davison-rejoins-arsenal-ladies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126052218/https://www.arsenal.com/news/ladies-news/gemma-davison-rejoins-arsenal-ladies |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=Gemma Davison rejoins Arsenal Ladies |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=26 January 2013 |access-date=15 April 2018}}</ref> while Ifeoma Dieke and Anita Asante joined the Swedish Damallsvenskan in preference to the WSL.
On 20 May 2023, Reading manager Kelly Chambers noted that the team—the only WSL club not affiliated with a men's Premier League club—struggled to compete with a smaller budget for wages than women's sides with Premier League backing. She cited the £250,000 fee paid by Tottenham Hotspur for Bethany England, while some Reading staff were required to work multiple roles from lack of investment by its affiliated men's side in the EFL Championship.<ref name="chambers"/> {{clear}} == Champions == {{see also|List of English women's football champions}}[[File:Arsenal WFC v Manchester City WFC, 11 May 2019 (01).jpg|thumb|200px|The WSL trophy since the rebranding from the 2018–19 season]]
=== By season === Teams in just '''bold''' indicate doubles with the Women's FA Cup. Teams in '''bold''' and in ''italics'' indicate trebles with the Women's FA Cup and Women's League Cup. {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;" |+List of Women's Super League seasons |- !scope=col rowspan=2|Year !scope=col rowspan=2|Winners !scope=col rowspan=2|Runners-up !scope=col rowspan=2|Third place !scope=col colspan=2|Top goalscorer |- !scope=col|Player !scope=col|Goals |- !scope=row|2011 |'''''Arsenal''''' || Birmingham City || Everton ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Rachel Williams (Birmingham City) ||style="text-align:center"| 14 |- !scope=row|2012 |Arsenal || Birmingham City || Everton ||{{flagicon|SCO}} Kim Little (Arsenal) ||style="text-align:center"| 11 |- !scope=row|2013 |Liverpool || Bristol Academy || Arsenal || {{flagicon|ENG}} Natasha Dowie (Liverpool) ||style="text-align:center"| 13 |- !scope=row|2014 |Liverpool || Chelsea || Birmingham City ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Karen Carney (Birmingham City) ||style="text-align:center"| 8 |- !scope=row|2015 |'''Chelsea''' || Manchester City || Arsenal ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Beth Mead (Sunderland) ||style="text-align:center"| 12 |- !scope=row|2016 |Manchester City || Chelsea || Arsenal ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Eniola Aluko (Chelsea) ||style="text-align:center"| 9 |- !scope=row|2017–18 |'''Chelsea''' || |Manchester City ||Arsenal ||{{flagicon|ENG}} Ellen White (Birmingham City) ||style="text-align:center"| 15 |- !scope=row|2018–19 |Arsenal || |Manchester City || Chelsea ||{{flagicon|NED}} Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) ||style="text-align:center"| 22 |- !scope=row|2019–20{{efn|name=PPG|Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season ended early and the league was decided on a points-per-game basis.}} |Chelsea || |Manchester City || Arsenal || {{flagicon|NED}} Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) ||style="text-align:center"| 16 |- !scope=row|2020–21 |'''''Chelsea''''' || |Manchester City || Arsenal | {{flagicon|AUS}} Sam Kerr (Chelsea)||style="text-align:center"| 21 |- !scope=row|2021–22 |'''Chelsea''' || Arsenal || Manchester City || {{flagicon|AUS}} Sam Kerr (Chelsea)||style="text-align:center"| 20 |- !scope=row|2022–23 |'''Chelsea''' ||Manchester United || Arsenal | {{flagicon|ENG}} Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)||style="text-align:center"| 22 |- !scope=row|2023–24 |Chelsea ||Manchester City || Arsenal | {{flagicon|JAM}} Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)||style="text-align:center"| 21 |- !scope=row|2024–25 |'''''Chelsea''''' ||Arsenal || Manchester United | {{flagicon|ENG}} Alessia Russo (Arsenal)<br />{{flagicon|JAM}} Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)||style="text-align:center"| 12 |- !scope=row|2025–26 |'''Manchester City''' ||Arsenal|| Chelsea |{{flagicon|JAM}} Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)|| style="text-align:center" | 21 |}
;Spring Series The FA WSL Spring Series was an interim edition organised to bridge the gap from the 2016 season which ran from March to September as a summer tournament, and the 2017–18 season which started in September 2017. It is not recognised as an official title as it has not been played throughout the whole season.<ref>{{cite web |author1=BarclaysWSL |title=A fifth #BarclaysFAWSL title for @ChelseaFCW 🏆 |url=https://twitter.com/BarclaysWSL/status/1530837600893710336 |website=Twitter |access-date=19 June 2022 |date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619182305/https://twitter.com/BarclaysWSL/status/1530837600893710336 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=England – List of Women Champions |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-womchamp.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810151759/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-womchamp.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Garry |first1=Tom |last2=Goodwill |first2=Jake |title=Chelsea seal 'best ever' WSL title thanks to Emma Hayes' tactical tweaks and Sam Kerr's stunning double |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/05/08/chelsea-win-manchester-united-womens-super-league-score-goals/ |website=The Telegraph |access-date=19 June 2022 |date=8 May 2022 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619182304/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/05/08/chelsea-win-manchester-united-womens-super-league-score-goals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;" |- !scope=col rowspan=2|Year !scope=col rowspan=2|Winners !scope=col rowspan=2|Runners-up !scope=col rowspan=2|Third place !scope=col colspan=2|Top goalscorer |- !scope=col|Player !scope=col|Goals |- !scope=row|2017 (Spring Series) |Chelsea |Manchester City |Arsenal |{{flagicon|ENG}} Fran Kirby (Chelsea) |style="text-align:center"|6 |}
=== By club === {|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;" |+Performances in the Women's Super League by club{{efn|Spring Series are not included.}} !style="min-width:10em"|Club !style="min-width: 6em"|Winners !style="min-width: 6em"|Runners-up !class="unsortable" style="min-width:10em"|Years won !class="unsortable" style="min-width:10em"|Years runners-up |- | Chelsea ||align=center|8 || align="center" |2 ||2015, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25||2014, 2016 |- | Arsenal ||align=center|3 ||align=center|3 ||2011, 2012, 2018–19 ||2021–22, 2024–25, 2025–26 |- | Manchester City ||align=center|2 ||align=center|6 ||2016, 2025–26 ||2015, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2023–24 |- | Liverpool ||align=center|2 ||align=center|0 ||2013, 2014 || |- | Birmingham City ||align=center|0 ||align=center|2 || ||2011, 2012 |- | Bristol Academy ||align=center|0 ||align=center|1 || |||2013 |- | Manchester United ||align=center|0 ||align=center|1 || |||2022–23 |- |} ;Notes {{notelist}}
== Records and statistics == {{Excerpt|Women's Super League records and statistics|paragraphs=3-4}}
== Hall of Fame == {{Further|FA WSL Hall of Fame}} In September 2021, the Women's Super League announced the first inductees into the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame, recognising significant individuals who have contributed to the growth of the women's game in England and the WSL.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hall Of Fame|url=https://wslhalloffame.thefa.com/hall-of-fame|access-date=2021-11-08|website=wslhalloffame.thefa.com|archive-date=16 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016032757/https://wslhalloffame.thefa.com/hall-of-fame|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Finances ==
{| {{Table|sort|class=floatright}} |+ WSL club financials (accounts ending in 2025) ! Club !! Expenditure (£) !! Income (£) !! Pre-tax profit/loss (£) |- | Arsenal<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements, Year Ended 31 May 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03013967/filing-history/MzUwNzE0ODU2NGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=8 |language=en |date=27 Feb 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 21,621,000 | 21,642,000 | 21,000 |- | Brighton & Hove Albion<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10266716/filing-history/MzUxMTQ4Nzk2M2FkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=9 |language=en |date=26 Mar 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 8,686,260 | 1,438,188 | -7,248,072 |- | Chelsea<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07377729/filing-history/MzUxNDEyMjMxNGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=9 |language=en |date=13 Apr 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 38,792,474 | 21,695,481 | -17,096,993 |- | Crystal Palace<ref>{{cite web |title=Report of the Directors and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14201774/filing-history/MzUxMzkxNjQxMWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=8 |language=en |date=12 Apr 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 3,965,000 | 1,317,000 | -2,648,000 |- | Everton<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07335143/filing-history/MzUxMzk1MTE2M2FkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=8 |language=en |date=11 Apr 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 4,243,417 | 2,963,076 | -1,280,341 |- | Leicester City<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09091120/filing-history/MzUxMzU3Mjg5MGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=9 |language=en |date=11 Apr 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 6,326,000 | 1,530,000 | -4,796,000 |- | Liverpool<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08184466/filing-history/MzUwNzg0MzI1MWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=7 |language=en |date=4 Mar 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 5,998,427 | 6,163,747 | 165,320 |- | Manchester City<ref>{{cite web |title=Directors' Report and Financial Statements |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08570537/filing-history/MzUwODQ0NTQzNWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=10 |language=en |date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 13,974,000 | 11,146,000 | -2,828,000 |- | Manchester United<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11391725/filing-history/MzUxMDEwMjI4NWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=12 |language=en |date=15 Mar 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 10,355,000 | 10,865,000 | 510,000 |- | Tottenham Hotspur<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10863537/filing-history/MzUxMzg3MzM0NGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=14 May 2026 |page=9 |language=en |date=10 Apr 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> | 8,431,726 | 4,530,026 | -3,901,700 |}
=== Sponsorship === {{As of|2025|7|31}}, the WSL Football's total annual sponsorship revenue was reported to be about £8.5 million from sponsorship and licensing.<ref name="2025-financials">{{Cite news |title=WSL Football reports £8.2m loss for first year |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c23r2meen10o |access-date=12 May 2026 |date=27 January 2026 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref>
In March 2019, the Women's Super League agreed a multi-million sponsorship deal with British bank Barclays from the start of the 2019–20 season. The three-year sponsorship deal is reported to be in excess of £10 million with a prize money pot of £500,000 for the league champions for the first time. The FA described the deal as "the biggest ever investment in UK women's sport by a brand".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47605807 |title=Women's Super League: Barclays agree multi-million sponsorship deal |date=20 March 2019 |access-date=27 March 2019 |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004072910/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47605807 |url-status=live }}</ref> Barclays renewed the sponsorship with an additional three-year deal on 15 December 2021, doubled its rights fee, and extended its sponsorship to the FA Women's Championship.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Barclays doubles investment in women's and girls' football across the FA Women's Super League, sponsoring the Women's Championship for the first time and grassroots programmes, whilst committing to Premier League sponsorship for further three years |publisher=Barclays |url=https://home.barclays/news/press-releases/2021/12/barclays-doubles-investment-in-women-s-and-girls--football-acros/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323043230/https://home.barclays/news/press-releases/2021/12/barclays-doubles-investment-in-women-s-and-girls--football-acros/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 December 2021 |last=Lloyd-Hughes |first=Florence |title=Barclays extends sponsorship of FA WSL in record deal for UK women's sport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3686893/2021/12/15/barclays-extends-sponsorship-of-fa-wsl-in-record-deal-for-uk-womens-sport/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |work=The Athletic }}</ref> The league's WSL Football company also indicated the signing of new sponsorship deals with Nike, British Gas, Apple, and Mercedes-Benz following its taking over of the league in 2024.<ref name="2025-financials"/>
The league's lead sponsor from 2012 to 2019 was Continental Tyres. Continental sponsored the FA's new commercial programme from 2014 to 2018 including the England women's national football team, FA Women's Cup and the FA WSL Continental Cup in addition to the WSL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Continental Tyres Renews Women's Super League Sponsorship in New FA Deal|url=http://www.isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21107:continental-tyres-renews-womens-super-league-sponsorship-in-new-fa-deal&catid=7:sports-sponsors&Itemid=17|publisher=isportconnect|access-date=15 August 2013|archive-date=9 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009060748/http://isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21107:continental-tyres-renews-womens-super-league-sponsorship-in-new-fa-deal&catid=7:sports-sponsors&Itemid=17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FA Extends Deal With Continental Tires To Become Exclusive Women's Football Partner|url=http://sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/08/02/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Continental-Tires.aspx|work=Sports Business Daily|access-date=15 August 2013|archive-date=9 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809010819/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2013/08/02/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Continental-Tires.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2011 season, Yorkshire Building Society was also a sponsorship partner along with Continental.<ref name="Two WSL partners announced">{{cite web |title=Two WSL partners announced|work=She Kicks|date=11 April 2011 |url=https://www.shekicks.net/news/view/2793 |access-date=2011-04-12}}</ref><ref name="meltdown" />
Most shirt sponsorships for women's sides affiliated with men's clubs are bundled and not sold or valued separately.<ref name="bbc-pay">{{Cite news |date=1 August 2022 |title=How much do women footballers get paid?|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62378095 |access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref>
=== Investment from Premier League clubs === In the 2022–23 season, 11 of the WSL's 12 teams were affiliates of men's Premier League clubs,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 February 2023 |title=Report: Strategic investments driving growth in women's sport attendances |url=https://twocircles.com/gb-en/articles/report-strategic-investments-driving-growth-in-womens-sport-attendances/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |work=Two Circles |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524182446/https://twocircles.com/gb-en/articles/report-strategic-investments-driving-growth-in-womens-sport-attendances/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the only exception being Reading, who were affiliated with a lower-tier men's side.<ref name="chambers">{{Cite news |last=Feringa |first=Megan |date=20 May 2023 |title=Reading boss underlines dangerous financial gulf in WSL and football pyramid |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/reading-wsl-finance-premier-league-30032238 |access-date=2023-05-24 |work=Daily Mirror |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524182454/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/reading-wsl-finance-premier-league-30032238 |url-status=live }}</ref> Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur combined had spent a total of £123.6 million on their women's sides from the league's founding in 2011 to the 2022–23 season. A report in ''The Telegraph'' compared this spending to the £186 million those clubs' spent on agents' fees for men's player transactions from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023. Those clubs spent £33 million on their women's sides over the same period.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garry |first=Tom |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Agents' fees vs women's teams: The stark spending figures in Premier League clubs' accounts |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/05/22/wsl-premier-league-agent-fees-womens-football/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523071410/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/05/22/wsl-premier-league-agent-fees-womens-football/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Declined investments === In July 2022, The FA declined a £150 million offer from an unnamed private equity firm to purchase the league. Baroness Sue Campbell had noted that The FA had refused other private equity offers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wrack |first=Suzanne |date=5 July 2022 |title=FA moves towards independence for WSL after rebuffing private equity firms|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/05/fa-moves-towards-independence-for-wsl-after-rebuffing-private-equity-firms |access-date=24 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
==Broadcasting== {{As of| 2021}}, matches are broadcast and streamed in the United Kingdom and Ireland via The FA Player, Sky Sports, and the BBC (UK only). Internationally, select matches are broadcast in at least twelve countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden, and the United States.
===In the United Kingdom and Ireland=== FA women's competitions were initially broadcast on ESPN from 2009 to 2013 as part of a four-year broadcast rights deal.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 December 2009 |title=FA agree Cup deal with ESPN |url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2009/ESPN_081209.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914060047/http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2009/ESPN_081209.aspx |archive-date=14 September 2012 |access-date=2010-03-08 |publisher=The Football Association}}</ref> Six live matches were broadcast in 2011 in addition to weekly highlights, with ten games shown in 2012.<ref name="uefa" /> ESPN broadcast the opening game of the WSL between Chelsea and Arsenal at Imperial Fields on 13 April 2011, a game Arsenal won 1–0 with a first half goal by Gilly Flaherty. The second televised game took place on 12 May 2011 as Doncaster Belles lost 1–0 to Everton Ladies at the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} In 2013, BBC Two broadcast four WSL programmes during the 2013–14 season. Each programme featured goal round-ups, highlights and features.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women's Super League to be shown on the BBC |work=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21716152 |access-date=15 August 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016225032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21716152 |url-status=live }}</ref>
During the 2017–18 season, many WSL games were broadcast on television by BT Sport, online and red-button by the BBC (UK only), and via the league's Facebook page.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 June 2019|title=FA wants Women's Super League on terrestrial TV|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/fa-wants-womens-super-league-on-terrestrial-tv-msxnp2j96|website=The Times|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806113110/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fa-wants-womens-super-league-on-terrestrial-tv-msxnp2j96|url-status=live}}</ref> BBC Sport continued to air one game a weekend digitally via their iPlayer service and website,<ref>{{cite web |title=FA Player: Football Association to launch women's football live streaming app |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49248131 |date=6 August 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806120112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49248131 |url-status=live }}</ref> while subscription channel Sky Sports also holds the rights to televise a selection of matches.<ref>{{cite web |title=FA WSL on TV |url=https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/fa-womens-super-league-on-tv-060918 |publisher=The Football Association }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FA wants Women's Super League on terrestrial TV |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/fa-wants-womens-super-league-on-terrestrial-tv-msxnp2j96 |website=The Times |date=28 June 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806113110/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fa-wants-womens-super-league-on-terrestrial-tv-msxnp2j96 |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 2019–20 season, league matches were streamed via The FA Player, as well as some Women's Championship games, highlights from the FA Cup, League Cup and international England games.<ref>{{cite web|title=New streaming service for Barclays FA WSL|url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/new_streaming_service_for_barclays_fa_wsl.html|website=fawsl.com|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806113108/http://www.fawsl.com/news/new_streaming_service_for_barclays_fa_wsl.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 August 2019|title=FA Player: Football Association to launch women's football live streaming app|work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49248131|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=6 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806120112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49248131|url-status=live}}</ref> Some games in The FA Player were excluded, such as those broadcast on BT Sport in the UK and Ireland due to licensing rights.<ref name="broadcast">{{cite web|title=FA WSL on TV|url=https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/fa-womens-super-league-on-tv-060918|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=6 August 2019|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035814/https://womenscompetitions.thefa.com/en/Article/fa-womens-super-league-on-tv-060918|url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2021, the FA WSL announced a new record-breaking three-year domestic television rights deal with Sky Sports and BBC, beginning with the 2021–22 season. Sky would broadcast 44 matches per season with a further 22 matches shown on BBC platforms including a minimum of 18 on BBC One or Two. All other fixtures would remain available to stream for free on The FA Player, the governing body's own over OTT service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Landmark deal for FA WSL as Sky Sports and BBC secure record-breaking rights deal |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/03/22/landmark-deal-for-fa-wsl-as-sky-sports-and-bbc-secure-record-breaking-rights-deal/ |website=Digital TV Europe |date=22 March 2021 |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322123951/https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/03/22/landmark-deal-for-fa-wsl-as-sky-sports-and-bbc-secure-record-breaking-rights-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Believed to be worth around £8 million a season, it was the biggest broadcast deal of any professional women's football league in the world and marked the first time that the WSL's rights had been sold separately from the men's game.<ref>{{cite web |title='A huge step forward': WSL announces record-breaking deal with BBC and Sky |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/22/a-huge-step-forward-wsl-announces-record-breaking-deal-with-bbc-and-sky |website=The Guardian |date=22 March 2021}}</ref>
In July 2024, YouTube was listed as a new streaming service for non-broadcast WSL matches and select Women's Championship fixtures, as part of a transition from the FA Player. Sky Sports and BBC remained rights holders for the 2024–25 season, with Sky and Now TV broadcasting 44 matches, and the BBC broadcasting 22 matches on iPlayer, with 18 intended for BBC One or BBC Two.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Pinnock |first=Hannah |date=2024-07-22 |title=YouTube named as new WSL and Championship streaming platform |url=https://www.90min.com/youtube-named-new-wsl-championship-streaming-platform |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=90min |archive-date=23 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723134308/https://www.90min.com/youtube-named-new-wsl-championship-streaming-platform |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2024, a five-year deal with Sky Sports and the BBC worth £65 million was agreed upon by the WSL, an increase from the estimated £7–8 million per season, and the first long-term agreement with broadcasters. As the main investor, Sky Sports are to broadcast 118 live matches per season, the BBC have committed to 21 matches, with the remaining games available on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garry |first=Tom |date=2024-10-30 |title=WSL agrees record £65m domestic five-year TV deal with Sky Sports and BBC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/30/wsl-agrees-record-65m-domestic-five-year-tv-deal-with-sky-sports-and-bbc |access-date=2024-10-30 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
===International=== For countries and regions without broadcast rights, all WSL matches are available on YouTube.<ref name="wsl2026">{{cite web |title=Where To Watch the Barclays Women's Super League |url=https://www.wslfootball.com/news/wsl/where-to-watch-the-barclays-women-s-super-league-x8054 |website=WSL Football |access-date=2 April 2026|date=26 March 2026}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" !Country !Broadcaster |- |{{AUS}} |Stan Sport |- |{{AUT}} | rowspan="5" |Sportdigital |- |{{GER}} |- |{{LIE}} |- |{{LUX}} |- |{{SUI}} |- |{{BEL}} | rowspan="12" |W-Sport |- |{{FRA}} |- |{{HKG}} |- |{{IDN}} |- |{{LTU}} |- |{{MLY}} |- |{{MOZ}} |- |{{NED}} |- |{{POR}} |- |{{SGP}} |- |{{THA}} |- |{{TUR}} |- | rowspan="2" |{{BRA}} |Canal GOAT |- |X-Sports |- |{{CAN}} |Rogers |- |{{CRI}} | rowspan="7" |Fox |- |{{SLV}} |- |{{GTM}} |- |{{HND}} |- |{{MEX}} |- |{{NIC}} |- |{{PAN}} |- | rowspan="3" |{{CHN}} |Huya Live |- |iQIYI |- |Migu |- |{{CRO}} | rowspan="2" |Sportklub |- |{{SVN}} |- |{{BGD}} | rowspan="5"| FanCode |- |{{IND}} |- |{{MDV}} |- |{{NEP}} |- |{{LKA}} |- |{{ISR}} |Charlton |- |{{ITA}} |Sky Italia |- |{{JPN}} |U-Next |- |{{Flag|MENA}} |Dubai Sports |- |{{NED}} |Ziggo Sport |- |{{NZL}} |Sky New Zealand |- |{{NOR}} |VG |- |South East Asia |beIN Sports |- |{{ESP}} |Movistar+ |- |rowspan="2"|{{SWE}} |SVT |- |TV4 |- |{{UKR}} |Maincast |- |Caribbean |rowspan="3"|ESPN<ref name="nytimesbroadcast">{{cite web |last1=Pelit |first1=Asli |title=Is England's Women's Super League missing its American moment with broadcast confusion? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6602235/2025/09/06/is-englands-womens-super-league-missing-its-american-moment-with-broadcast-confusion/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=8 September 2025 |date=6 September 2025|archive-date=8 September 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908093414/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6602235/2025/09/06/is-englands-womens-super-league-missing-its-american-moment-with-broadcast-confusion/}}</ref> |- |South America |- |{{USA}} |- |}
== See also == * Women's Super League records and statistics * List of Women's Super League clubs
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website|https://womensleagues.thefa.com/}} *{{YouTube|channel=UCnQpt1UxLq00NFULxTDHMww}}
{{FA Women's Super League}} {{Women's football in England}} {{UEFA women's leagues}} {{Top level women's association football leagues around the world}} {{portal bar|Women's association football|Sports|England|Association football}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Women's Super League 1 England Category:2010 establishments in England Category:Sports leagues established in 2010