Barclays Women's Super League 2 Season Preview
There are few leagues that can match the drama of Barclays WSL2, where each week produces new twists and turns at both ends of the table.
The 2025-26 season is set to be no different, with the addition of up to two extra promotion places only set to fuel even more memorable moments.
With more storied footballing names arriving from the FA Women’s National League and the rising tide of the summer’s European Championships lifting all boats across the sport, the second tier is set for its biggest season yet.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City came mightily close to a return to the Barclays Women’s Super League last season but were ultimately pipped to the post in a final day shootout with London City Lionesses.
Blues cannot let the disappointment become a hangover and will be targeting the title as they seek promotion back to the top flight having been relegated in 2022.
Amy Merricks has added internationals Veatriki Sarri and Chelsea Cornet to a midfield already flowing with talent, while Lily Crosthwaite is an exciting young addition from Durham.
Blues have also added Haitian forward Batcheba Louis, while Shannon Cooke adds defensive depth as Blues round out a well-stocked squad, with the likes of Choe Yu-Ri and Cho So-hyun amongst those moving on.
Bristol City
Bristol City are hoping a squad refresh is the key to helping them challenge for promotion back to the WSL.
The Robins finished sixth last term as they failed to bounce straight back to the top tier, and new manager Charlotte Healy has wasted no time in stamping her mark on the squad.
Healy has made a pair of eye-catching additions in midfield, with Champions League winner Vicky Losada and former Chelsea stalwart Sophie Ingle recruited to run the engine room at Ashton Gate.
The Robins have also added Maria Farrugia after an impressive spell at Sheffield United, along with former Blade Esther Morgan.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith will be charged with grabbing the goals once again, particularly in the wake of Ffion Morgan’s departure for West Ham.
Charlton Athletic
A season of two halves ultimately saw Charlton Athletic finish third last season, and the Addicks will hope to carry their momentum into the new campaign.
Karen Hills’ side recovered from a ten-match winless run to go unbeaten from January and eventually finished just six points off the summit.
It is strong evidence that Charlton can challenge again, and Hills has added WSL2 experience in the form of Ellie Mason, Mary McAteer, and Lucy Fitzgerald to her ranks.
The Addicks have also cast their net further afield, bringing in Lucia Lobato from Marseille and Gillian Kenney from the US.
Kenney will replace Mel Filis, who has joined Sassuolo, while top scorer Ellie Brazil has moved to Southampton.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace return to the second tier with the bulk of the squad that won promotion two years ago and will be set on repeating that feat this time around.
The likes of Elise Hughes and Annabel Blanchard will once again power the Palace attack, while Aimee Everett captains from the back, but there are fresh faces too as new manager Jo Potter looks to build her own squad.
Justine Vanhaevermaet brings bags of experience while Lola Brown and Emma Watson are exciting loan additions from Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.
It follows a number of exits following relegation, with Izzy Atkinson, Katrine Veje and Ria Oling amongst the departures.
Durham
A constant presence in the second tier, Durham will once again be hoping to punch above their weight at the top of the table.
The Wildcats finished fourth last term and can once again rely on a long-serving core led by captain Sarah Wilson alongside Becky Salicki, Beth Hepple, Lauren Briggs and Sarah Robson.
Midfielder Mollie Lambert will be crucial in midfield after a standout campaign, with new recruits Amber-Keegan Stobbs and Tyler Toland adding further support in the middle of the park.
Venezuelan striker Mariana Speckmaier will be charged with adding the goals after Carly Johns and Lily Crosthwaite left for pastures new.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town are one of two newly-promoted sides in the WSL2 this season, and the Tractor Girls will be determined to ensure their stay lasts more than one season.
Ipswich were regular challengers for promotion from the third tier before finally getting the job done in 2025, and manager Joe Sheehan has kept his faith in the squad that won the Southern Premier Division last season.
Jamaica international striker Natasha Thomas will lead the line as she brings up a decade with the club.
Midfielders Jenna Dear and Rianna Dean arrive from Sunderland and Southampton, while Grace Neville adds further second-tier experience at the back.
Newcastle United
Newcastle United asserted themselves well on their first season in the second tier and will now have eyes on promotion to the WSL.
The Lasses finished fifth last term and showed plenty of signs that there is more to come under manager Becky Langley.
Newcastle have added plenty of experience to an already strong squad, with England international Jordan Nobbs and World Cup winner Morgan Gautrat added to the midfield.
Aoife Mannion and Małgorzata Grec are further eye-catching additions at the back, while Shania Hayles will hope to continue her goalscoring exploits.
Nottingham Forest
Newly-promoted Nottingham Forest are ready to seize their chance in the second tier after a number of near misses in previous seasons.
Forest twice came close to promotion in back-to-back seasons before marching to the Northern Premier Division title last season.
Head coach Carly Davies has a settled core but has added Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Aimee Claypole, and Deanne Rose up front, with the former fresh from winning the title with London City Lionesses last season.
Midfielders Amy Rodgers and Rachel Rowe also arrive with plenty of experience, as do defenders Kirsty Smith, Chloe Mustaki and Jessie Stapleton.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth required a late surge of form to avoid the drop last season, but there is hope on the south coast that their escape can serve as a catalyst to climb the table.
Pompey were winless until March but lost just once until the end of the season to steer clear of relegation, but star attacker Sophie Quirk left for Bournemouth over the summer.
She is one of a number of departures as Pompey revamp their squad, though long-serving manager Jay Sadler has been quick to add fresh faces.
Young defender Greta Humphries joins from Chelsea, while Jasmine Bull captains the side from the back after signing from Bristol City.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United will hope to make good on their second chance, after earning a reprieve from relegation to continue in WSL2.
The Blades finished bottom of the table last season but survived after Blackburn Rovers failed to meet the league’s required standards.
Head coach Ash Thompson remains in charge and has set about rebuilding his squad with plenty of second tier experience, including striker Amy Andrews and midfielder Charlie Devlin.
Last season’s standouts Maria Farrugia and Esther Morgan have left but Thompson will hope a fresh slate can inspire a more successful campaign.
Southampton
A middle of the road eighth-place finish led to change at Southampton, with Simon Parker taking over from Marieanne Spacey-Cale for the new season.
Parker has plenty of experience in WSL2, having coached Blackburn Rovers for the past two seasons.
His task will be to push Saints up the table and into the promotion picture, having underwhelmed last term.
Parker has wasted little time reshaping his squad, with forwards Ellie Brazil and Emma Harries bringing top-flight experience while Jess Simpson and Ashanti Akpan arrive on loan from Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.
Sunderland
After coming so close to promotion two seasons ago, Sunderland were unable to repeat the feat last year but will look to go again under Melanie Reay.
Reay has been at the helm since 2017 as Sunderland built their way back up the leagues and will be determined to better their seventh-place finish last season.
The Lasses have added Irish trio Jamie Finn, Izzy Atkinson, and Grace Moloney while Rhiannon Roberts brings lots of experience to the defence after a spell with Real Betis.
A relatively stable squad, with few outgoings, should bode well for Reay as she builds on established foundations.
