Football May 09, 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

Premier League predictions and best bets: Viktor Gyokeres to fire first in Arsenal win at West Ham

Premier League predictions and best bets: Viktor Gyokeres to fire first in Arsenal win at West Ham

Our football betting expert Jones Knows offers his insight ahead of another exciting weekend of Premier League action. It's not about style now for As...

Bruno Fernandes wins FWA Footballer of the Year: Man Utd captain’s assists and creativity set him apart from the rest

Bruno Fernandes wins FWA Footballer of the Year: Man Utd captain’s assists and creativity set him apart from the rest

Declan Rice could power Arsenal over the line to a historic title win. There is still time for Erling Haaland to fire Manchester City there. But Bruno...

Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County: Late Ben Osborn goal gives Hatters edge in League One play-off semi-final

Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County: Late Ben Osborn goal gives Hatters edge in League One play-off semi-final

Stockport snatched a dramatic last-minute winner in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final after a defensive calamity from Stevenage.Th...

Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton: Championship play-off semi-final left on a knife edge after goalless first-leg draw

Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton: Championship play-off semi-final left on a knife edge after goalless first-leg draw

Middlesbrough and Southampton played out a goalless draw to leave their Championship play-off semi-final finely poised at the midway point.Boro domina...

Brighton 3-0 Wolves: Seagulls boost European hopes with comfortable win over relegated side

Brighton 3-0 Wolves: Seagulls boost European hopes with comfortable win over relegated side

Brighton boosted their hopes of European qualification after a 3-0 home win over already-relegated Wolves.Headers from Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk...

Paul Merson disagrees with Michael Carrick's verdict and criticises Manchester United's performance at Sunderland

Paul Merson disagrees with Michael Carrick's verdict and criticises Manchester United's performance at Sunderland

Paul Merson disagreed with Michael Carrick's positive assessment of Manchester United's performance at Sunderland and is not optimistic for them next...