WSL Rebrand Drops: Say Goodbye to the Championship

May 12, 2025

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

WSL and WSL2 rebrand

If you’ve been under a rock (or just at work) this morning, you’ll have missed the biggest news since the end of the season. Drum-roll please… The WSL and Championship have been rebranded. 

The Women’s Super League is keeping its name, but the Championship is rebranding as WSL2, bringing both leagues under one bold new identity for the second time (The Championship was known as the WSL2 between 2014-18).

To be honest, the cat was already out of the bag when it came to the Championship reverting to its previous name. That was leaked months ago, but fans held onto a shred of hope that the WPLL wouldn’t carry through with their plan to make the Championship sound like an afterthought.

It’s all part of the first big move by WSL Football (formerly Women’s Professional Leagues Limited), the independent body that took over from the FA last year, to stamp its mark on women’s football in England. 

Why now? WSL Football’s goal is to unify the leagues, boost visibility, and give English women’s football its own identity. “No one plays football like a female – it’s our strength, and the way players move is what makes women’s football distinctive and special,” says Ruth Hooper, chief marketing officer at WSL Football. We’d beg to differ, and from the fan comments we’ve seen about the new brand so far, we’re not alone in our scepticism. But, clubs, players, fans, and partners have all had their say in the rebrand, so maybe we’re wrong and it’ll be a grower? Let’s hope so.

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

  1. Jelena Čanković’s midweek volley helped Brighton to a 4-2 win over Arsenal. And it was class.

  2. Villa’s Ebony Salmon basically ran the length of the pitch to score a brilliant individual goal.

  3. Asseyi was on form again for West Ham with this header and a superb free kick.

  4. Ok, so we’re still convinced this was offside, but Hannah Cain’s composed finish deserves a spot.

  5. Kim Little wasn’t messing about for Arsenal’s fourth

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Lucy Bronze being spun out of a banner

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 22

🏆 Chelsea made WSL history by going unbeaten and clinching a sixth straight title. Sonia Bompastor’s side finished the league season with 19 wins, three draws, and zero defeats, the first team to go unbeaten in a 22-game campaign. Aggie Beever-Jones’ stoppage-time winner against Liverpool sealed a record 60-point haul. It’s Chelsea’s first title with Bompastor at the helm, their dominance continues post-Emma Hayes.

FINAL WSL STANDINGS:
🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🥇 Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and London City Lionesses’ Isobel Goodwin scooped top player honours at the Women’s Professional Game Awards. Caldentey was named WSL Player of the Season, Goodwin took the Championship prize, Vivianne Miedema and Maria Farrugia won Goal of the Season, and Shekiera Martinez (West Ham) and Sophie Quirk (Portsmouth) were crowned Rising Stars. Check out the full list of winners.

⬇️ Plans to pause WSL relegation have been scrapped after a major backlash from clubs and fans. The FA had floated suspending relegation for a season to “protect investment,” but fierce opposition means promotion and relegation are here to stay. 

🌍 The Women’s World Cup is expanding to 48 teams from 2031, with the US set to host the first mega-edition. FIFA has confirmed the jump from 32 to 48 teams and a 12-group format, meaning 104 matches and even more global reach. The move is designed to boost visibility and investment in women’s football, but expect some lopsided scores as new nations join the party. The UK will host in 2035, and the 2027 edition in Brazil will stick with 32 teams.

🇧🇷 Brazil’s Maracanã, São Paulo’s Arena Itaquera, and Recife’s Arena de Pernambuco are among eight stadiums picked for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, so start planning your trip. The tournament runs 24 June to 25 July 2027, with matches in Rio, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, and Salvador. Expect samba, sun, and a serious football festival. See the full list of host cities.

❤️ Angel City’s Savy King is stable after collapsing on the pitch during an NWSL match. The 20-year-old defender was stretchered off and hospitalised after collapsing against Utah Royals. King is now responsive and under observation, with both teams and fans rallying in support.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

→ Watford’s Renée Hector: ‘It always helps to see somebody who looks like you’ – Hector on being included on the 2024 Football Black List and the impact of racism on her career

👀 FAVE FINDS

BallerFC and Goal Diggers both launched a ‘Let the dolls play’ T-shirt to support the Good Law Project on the same day. Great minds. Find out more here and buy the T-shirt here.

Mallory Swanston (Pugh) has announced she’s pregnant. That means two members of ‘triple espresso’ are expecting. Two babycchinos incoming.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

CONFIRMED DEPARTURES

  • Arsenal: Lina Hurtig, Amanda Ilestedt, and Teyah Goldie are all out as their contracts expire. We expect to see a busy summer at Arsenal as Slegers puts her mark on the team.

  • Aston Villa: Rachel Corsie, Jordan Nobbs, Danielle Turner, and Maz Pacheco are all leaving as new head coach Natalia Arroyo looks to build her squad this summer.

  • Brighton: Poppy Pattinson, Maria Thorisdottir, Guro Bergsvand, Dejana Stefanovic, and Pauline Bremer are all heading for the exit after a tough campaign. Expect a busy summer on the south coast.

  • Chelsea: Sophie Ingle leaves after 214 appearances and 11 trophies. Zecira Musovic is also moving on after four-and-a-half years and 52 appearances.

  • Manchester City: Laia Aleixandri is leaving City on a free after 88 appearances. The Spain international is tipped for a return to Barcelona.

MANAGER MOVES

→ Leif Smerud departs Crystal Palace after just two months in charge, following WSL relegation. Palace is searching for a new manager to lead their rebuild.

RUMOUR HAS IT:

→ Everton’s Sara Holmgaard is being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

→ Beth England could leave Spurs this summer. Rumour has it she’s been in conversation with two clubs outside of England.

→ Joe Montemurro is still in charge at Lyon but is widely reported to be the next Matildas boss. No official announcement yet, but all signs point to him taking over after Lyon’s season wraps up

👟 KIT DROP

Hummel has dropped the new Denmark women’s home kit for Euro 2025, and it’s a masterclass in less-is-more. The deep red shirt, finished with crisp white chevrons and a sharp retro collar, is all about Scandinavian minimalism and national pride. No gimmicks, no distractions, just a kit that lets the football do the talking. Erm… can we also just talk about the long-sleeve option that sneaked into the photoshoot, please? Love. It. Available now

Brøndby IF Women x Modström “1971” Shirt
Brøndby’s new collab with Modström is a limited-edition, long-sleeve polo in classic yellow and navy. It’s a nod to the club’s founding year and their status as Denmark’s first full-time pro women’s team. Retro, unisex, and built for bold statements on and off the pitch. Available now

Nike Mercurial Vapor x Air Max 95
Nike’s latest boot is pure sneaker nostalgia: the Mercurial Vapor gets a bold Air Max 95 makeover, with wavy lines, solar red pops, and a chrome ‘1995’ soleplate. Get yours here

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

Tickets for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final are on sale to the general public. Prices start at just €10, but if you’re thinking of a last-minute trip to Lisbon, check flight prices before grabbing your bargain final tickets - extortionate is an understatement. More info here.

BallerFC x Camden Town Brewery
Saturday 24 May UEFA Women’s Champions League Final
55-59 Wilkin St Mews, London, NW5 3ED
Fan Market (12.00 - 17.00)
Last Entry for match kick off (16.00)
Champions League Final - Arsenal v Barcelona (17:00)
Get your tickets here

Euro 2025 at Big Penny Social (London)
The countdown is on to the Women’s Euros, and Big Penny Social will be screening every England match live on their giant screen, with electric vibes and top-tier entertainment to match.⁠ 🎟️ Tickets for England games are live and just £6.50, including a house drink and entertainment!⁠

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Women's FA Cup Final
Could Chelsea win the treble?
Sunday 18 May
Chelsea vs Manchester United (13:30, BBC One, BBC iPlayer)

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

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