FA approves WSL academy sides for tier three of Women's National League from 2027-28
The Football Association on 25 August 2026 approved a plan to allow Women's Super League academy sides to compete in tier three of the FA Women's National League from the 2027-28 season, following a proposal that drew significant opposition.
Seventy-two clubs currently compete in the FA Women's National League structure, and in June 2026 fifty-two of those clubs signed a letter to the FA opposing the introduction of top-tier academy teams, describing it as "morally wrong" and claiming "board representatives did not consult their clubs". The FA said it had proceeded after an "extensive consultation process with clubs and stakeholders" and framed the reforms as "designed to strengthen the women's football pyramid, raise standards across the league, and improve the development pathway for young players" while addressing the lack of competitive minutes young English players receive compared with their counterparts across Europe.
As part of the changes, four professional game academy (PGA) sides will be offered the chance to compete in the WNL but will be ineligible for promotion under the approved model.
The FA also announced that WNL clubs will receive central funding for the first time, that WNL club academies will be introduced, and that adjustments will be made to the loan market to encourage clubs from the professional game to loan players to sides in tiers three and four.
Sue Day, director of women's football at the FA, commented on the package of reforms: "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," said Sue Day, director of women's football at the FA. "We need to take proactive action now to address some of the key challenges we're facing. For the game to continue moving forward, the FA Women's National League must evolve alongside the professional game, and we need to create more opportunities for talented young English players to develop in senior football. "Getting that balance right is essential to the long-term success of the national team, which in turn fuels the growth and visibility of the game at every level. "The FA Women's National League sits at the heart of the women's football pyramid and has a unique identity that we value enormously."
The FA said criteria for selecting the four PGAs will be developed "over the coming months", and the model will be reviewed annually to monitor its impact.