Football May 14, 2026

WSL2: Crystal Palace and Birmingham promoted to the WSL while Charlton will feature in play-off

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
WSL2: Crystal Palace and Birmingham promoted to the WSL while Charlton will feature in play-off

Crystal Palace and Birmingham have been promoted to the WSL, while Charlton will feature in the first promotion/relegation play-off for a place in England's top league.

Charlton were on 42 points at the top of the WSL2 table heading into the final weekend, while Palace and Birmingham were on 41 points. The Blues were ahead on goal difference in second, with the top two teams securing their place in England's top league.

In what turned out to be a shootout for automatic promotion, Charlton and Birmingham played each other at The Valley, while across south London, Crystal Palace took on bottom-side Portsmouth.

Wilma Leidhammar scored twice to see Birmingham to the WSL2 title with 44 points. The Eagles thrashed bottom side Portsmouth 6-1 at home, finishing with the same points but four behind on goal difference.

Charlton will now face the WSL's bottom side - currently Leicester - in a play-off on May 23 at 12.30pm, set to be played at The Valley. It will be a one-legged match and shown live on Your Site.

It is the first time two teams have been automatically promoted from the WSL2 as the WSL expands to 14 teams from the start of next season. This will be completed by the play-off winner.

From the 2026/27 season, there will be one automatic promotion spot in the WSL2, while the bottom side in the WSL will be relegated.

Then, the second-place WSL2 team and the 13th-place WSL team - second from bottom - will compete in a play-off for a place in the top league.

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

W7F: Women's World Sevens Football tournament is live on Sky Sports from Gtech Community Stadium on May 28-30

W7F: Women's World Sevens Football tournament is live on Sky Sports from Gtech Community Stadium on May 28-30

Your Site will be the exclusive UK broadcaster of the women's World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium from May 2...

Donald Trump says Iran can play at World Cup in USA after FIFA confirmation

Donald Trump says Iran can play at World Cup in USA after FIFA confirmation

United States president Donald Trump has given his blessing to Iran competing on his country’s soil during this summer’s World Cup, stating: “Let them...

Scottish Premiership: Hearts, Celtic & Rangers fans on title favourites and what winning the league would mean to them

Scottish Premiership: Hearts, Celtic & Rangers fans on title favourites and what winning the league would mean to them

There is nothing to separate Hearts and Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, while Rangers could also move within striking distance if...

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Arsenal: Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta's side will win title if they beat Fulham as Jamie Carragher warns about 'banana skin'

Paul Merson says Arsenal will end their 22-year wait for another Premier League trophy if they beat Fulham - but Jamie Carragher has warned Marco Silv...

Kobbie Mainoo: Manchester United midfielder signs new long-term contract until 2031

Kobbie Mainoo: Manchester United midfielder signs new long-term contract until 2031

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new five-year contract until 2031.The 21-year-old's previous deal at Old Trafford, signed in 2...

Scottish football VAR Review: Scottish Premiership, League Cup, Scottish Cup decisions analysed

Scottish football VAR Review: Scottish Premiership, League Cup, Scottish Cup decisions analysed

'Roma trigger permanent deal option for Malen'Roma have activated the buy-clause inserted in Donyell Malen's initial loan move from&nbs...