FA approves WSL academy sides in National League
From the 2027-28 season, four Women's Super League academy teams will compete in the third tier of the English football pyramid, despite opposition from National League clubs.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Katie Chan
The Football Association (FA) has officially approved a divisive proposal that will see Women's Super League (WSL) academy teams compete in the third tier of the women's football pyramid. The changes are scheduled to take effect from the 2027-28 season.
Four professional game academy (PGA) sides will be granted the opportunity to participate at this level, though they will not be eligible for promotion. The FA stated that the reform is designed to strengthen the women's football pyramid, raise standards, and improve the development pathway for young English players, who currently receive fewer competitive minutes than their European counterparts.
The move has faced significant pushback from Women's National League (WNL) clubs. In June 2026, 52 of the 72 WNL clubs signed a letter opposing the inclusion of top-tier academy sides in their structure, describing the plan as "morally wrong" and criticizing the lack of consultation from the FA board.
Alongside this change, WNL clubs will receive central funding for the first time. The reform package also includes the introduction of WNL club academies and updates to the loan market, intended to encourage professional clubs to loan players to third and fourth-tier sides.
The women's game has reached an important moment in its development, and these changes are about ensuring it continues to thrive for decades to come. We need to take proactive action now to address some of the key challenges we're facing. Sue Day
The criteria for selecting the four participating PGA sides will be developed over the coming months. The FA has confirmed that the new model will be subject to annual review to monitor its impact on the competition and player development.