Chelsea
The Barclays FA Women’s Super League (FAWSL) 2025/2026 season is well underway, continuing to deliver spectacular goals, fierce rivalries, and major talking points. As the global popularity of women’s football soars, this season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in history, with the “Big Four” being seriously challenged and a major league expansion on the horizon.
Here’s an in-depth look at the results so far, the core challenges facing the league, and what to expect this season and next.
📈 Current FAWSL Results and Standings (As of Nov 2025)
The title race is already a thrilling spectacle, with the traditional powerhouses jockeying for the coveted top three spots—and the accompanying UEFA Women’s Champions League places.
| 1 | Manchester City | 8 | 21 | +11
| 2 | Chelsea | 8 | 20 | +11
| 3 | Manchester United | 8 | 17 | +13
| 4 | Arsenal | 8 | 15 | +10
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 15 | -1
| 6 | London City Lionesses (P) | 8 | 12 | -7
Source: Official WSL Standings, post-Gameweek 8 (Nov 2025)
Manchester City
* Title Race: Manchester City has surged to the top, showing impressive consistency with a long winning streak. Defending champions Chelsea are right on their heels, demonstrating resilience. The gap to Manchester United and Arsenal is minimal, setting up a genuine four-way battle for the title and European qualification.
* Relegation Scramble: The bottom of the table sees Liverpool and West Ham United struggling, both with just one point each. The fight to avoid the new relegation play-off spot will be intense.
$1 million Olivia Smith of Arsenal (Photo Courtesy of Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC)
🌟 Season Highlights So Far
The 2025/2026 season has already produced some unforgettable moments:
* Record-Breaking Transfers: The summer saw a major statement of intent with a new standard set for player value, including a reported £1 million transfer for player like Olivia Smith, signaling the financial ambition and growth of the league.
* Sam Kerr’s Milestone: The legendary striker, Sam Kerr (Chelsea), scored her 100th club goal, further solidifying her status as one of the WSL’s all-time greats.
* New Contenders: Newly promoted London City Lionesses are proving they belong, already picking up four wins and providing a fresh challenge to the established clubs.
* High-Scoring Thrillers: Matchweeks have been packed with goals, including dominant performances like a 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal over West Ham and Manchester United’s 5-1 win over London City Lionesses, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Emirates Stadium
🚧 Key Challenges Facing the FAWSL
While the league is booming, several critical challenges must be addressed for continued long-term growth:
* Investment Disparity: The large gap in resources and spending between the “Big Four” (Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd) and the rest of the league threatens competitive balance. Sustained, equitable investment across all clubs is essential.
* Converting Interest into Revenue: Following the success of the Lionesses, the WSL needs to effectively convert massive national interest and high broadcast visibility into sustainable commercial revenue and average match attendance growth.
* Venue and Infrastructure: While big clubs occasionally play at the main men’s stadiums (e.g., Emirates, Stamford Bridge), ensuring high-quality, dedicated, and appropriately sized venues for all matches remains a focus for improving the overall fan experience and professional image.
* Player Welfare and Depth: Managing squad fatigue and injury risk is a constant challenge, particularly for teams competing in both the WSL and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Melvine Malard
🔮 What to Expect in the Rest of the 2025/2026 Season
The back half of the season promises an incredible finale:
* A Photo Finish Title Race: Expect the battle between Manchester City and Chelsea to go down to the wire, with Manchester United and Arsenal having the capacity to push for top spot as well. The head-to-head results between these four will be decisive.
* The Relegation Play-Off Drama: This season introduces a new relegation format where the 12th-placed team faces the 3rd-placed team from the Women’s Championship in a play-off. This will generate intense, high-stakes drama at the foot of the table.
* Player Performance: Look for individual stars to shine, with goalscorers like Khadija Shaw (Man City) and Melvine Malard (Man Utd) leading the Golden Boot race, alongside playmakers such as Ella Toone (Man Utd) who tops the assist charts.
🚀 Looking Ahead: The 2026/2027 Season Expansion
The biggest change on the horizon is the confirmed expansion of the FAWSL.
* 14-Team League: The FA Women’s Super League is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams starting with the 2026/2027 season.
* Promotion Changes: To facilitate this, the 2025/2026 season will see two teams automatically promoted from the Championship (WSL 2), while the third-placed team in the Championship will play the bottom-placed WSL team in a relegation play-off for the final spot. This new structure is designed to increase the number of elite professional clubs and deepen the talent pool in English women’s football.
The FAWSL is a league in a period of rapid and exciting growth. With intense competition, star quality, and strategic expansion, the 2025/2026 season is a must-watch event for football fans globally.
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Viorica Bruni Editor Athletica Sports Web Publication
