2025–26 FA Women's National League
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17 August 2025 – 26 April 2026 |
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
The 2025–26 FA Women's National League is the 35th season of the competition, and the eighth since a restructure and rebranding of the top four tiers of English football by The Football Association. Starting in 1991, it was previously known as the FA Women's Premier League. It sits at the third and fourth levels of the women's football pyramid, below the Women's Super League 2 and above the eight regional football leagues.[1]
The league features six regional divisions: the Northern and Southern Premier divisions at level three of the pyramid, and Division One North, Midlands, South East, and South West at the fourth level. The league consists of 72 teams, divided into six divisions of 12 each.
Following the decision to expand the Women's Super League,[2] the National League announced a third team will be promoted to the WSL2 for the 2026–27 season. In addition to the winners of the Northern and Southern Divisions gaining promotion, the two second placed teams will face each other in a one game play-off to decide the third team promoted. Two additional teams will also be promoted from Division One, following the same format, with the second placed teams of Division One North and Midlands facing each other, and the two second placed teams of Division One South East and South West facing each other.[3]
Premier Division
Northern Premier Division
Changes from last season:
- Nottingham Forest were promoted to the WSL 2 as WNL North champions.[4]
- Middlesbrough were promoted from Division One North as champions.[5]
- Loughborough Lightning were promoted from Division One Midlands as champions.[6]
- Stourbridge were relegated to Division One Midlands.
|
 Location of Northern Premier Division clubs for the 2025–26 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rugby Borough | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 3 | Promotion to WSL 2 |
| 2 | Burnley | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 | |
| 4 | Stoke City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Hull City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Loughborough Lightning | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | West Bromwich Albion | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | Halifax | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 9 | Sporting Khalsa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 10 | Liverpool Feds | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | Derby County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: [The Football Association]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results
Southern Premier Division
Changes from last season:
- Ipswich Town were promoted to WSL 2 as WNL South champions.[7]
- Real Bedford were promoted from Division One South East as champions.[6]
- AFC Bournemouth were promoted from Division One South West as champions.[8]
- Milton Keynes Dons were relegated to Division One South East.
|
 Location of Southern Premier Division clubs for the 2025–26 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Bournemouth | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 3 | Promotion to WSL 2 |
| 2 | Plymouth Argyle | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Exeter City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Real Bedford | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 5 | Oxford United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Lewes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | Watford | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | AFC Wimbledon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 9 | Gwalia United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 10 | Cheltenham Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | |
| 11 | Hashtag United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 | Relegation to FA WNL Division One |
| 12 | Billericay Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: [The Football Association]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Results
Division One
Division One North
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
Changes from last season:
- AFC Fylde were relegated to North West Women's Regional Football League.
- Barnsley F.C. withdrew from the league due to financial issues.
- Blackburn Rovers were administratively relegated from Women's Championship after failing to meet licensing criteria.
- Chester-le-Street Town were promoted from North East Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Middlesbrough were promoted to Northern Premier Division as Division One North champions.
- Wythenshawe were promoted from North West Women's Regional Football League as champions.
|
 Cheadle Town Stingers Chester-le-Street Town Chorley Norton & Stockton Ancients Wythenshawe Location of Division One North clubs for the 2025–26 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockport County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 3 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Huddersfield Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Cheadle Town Stingers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | York City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 5 | Norton & Stockton Ancients | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Chorley | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 7 | Leeds United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 8 | Durham Cestria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 9 | Chester-le-Street Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 10 | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | |
| 11 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 | Relegation to regional leagues |
| 12 | Wythenshawe | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | −5 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One Midlands
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
Changes from last season:
- Kidderminster Harriers were promoted from West Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Sheffield F.C. were promoted from East Midlands Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Stourbridge were relegated from Northern Premier Division.
- Loughborough Lightning were promoted to Northern Premier Division as champions.
- Lincoln City were relegated to East Midlands Regional Women's Football League.
- Solihull Moors were relegated to West Midlands Regional Women's Football League.
|
 Kidderminster Harriers Lincoln United Northampton Town Peterborough United Sutton Coldfield Town Worcester City Location of Division One Midlands clubs for the 2024–25 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peterborough United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Boldmere St. Michaels | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Sutton Coldfield Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Barnsley Women's | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Leafield Athletic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Sheffield F.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Kidderminster Harriers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 8 | Northampton Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 9 | Stourbridge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 0 | |
| 10 | Worcester City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 11 | Notts County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | Relegation to regional leagues |
| 12 | Lincoln United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One South East
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
Changes from last season:
- Ashford Town were relegated to London and South East Women's Regional Football League.
- Atlético London (formerly London Seaward) were relegated to Eastern Region Women's Football League.
- Fulham were promoted from London and South East Women's Regional Football League as champions.
- Luton Town were promoted from Eastern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- Milton Keynes Dons were relegated from Southern Premier Division.
- Real Bedford were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South East champions.
|
 AFC Sudbury Chesham United Dulwich Hamlet Location of Division One South East clubs for the 2024–25 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queens Park Rangers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 3 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Chatham Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | London Bees | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 | |
| 4 | Norwich City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 | |
| 5 | Luton Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 6 | Fulham | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Cambridge United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0 | |
| 8 | Dulwich Hamlet | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 9 | AFC Sudbury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | |
| 10 | Actonians | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | |
| 11 | Chesham United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | Relegation to regional leagues |
| 12 | Milton Keynes Dons | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Division One South West
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
← 2024–25 2026–27 → | |
Changes from last season:
- AFC Bournemouth were promoted to Southern Premier Division as Division One South West champions.
- Ascot United were promoted from Southern Region Women's Football League as champions.
- Marine Academy Plymouth were promoted from South West Regional Women's Football League as champions.
- Southampton Women's were relegated to Southern Region Women's Football League.
|
 Abingdon United Ascot United Bournemouth Sports Maidenhead United Marine Academy Plymouth Moneyfields Portishead Town Location of Division One South West clubs for the 2024–25 season
|
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abingdon United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Promotion to Premier Division |
| 2 | Swindon Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | Promotion play-off |
| 3 | Moneyfields | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Keynsham Town | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Worthing | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 3 | |
| 6 | Bristol Rovers | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 7 | Portishead Town | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 0 | |
| 8 | Ascot United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 9 | Bridgwater United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 0 | |
| 10 | Marine Academy Plymouth | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | |
| 11 | Bournemouth Sports | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 | Relegation to regional leagues |
| 12 | Maidenhead United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: The Football Association
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
See also
- 2025–26 FA Women's National League Cup
- 2025–26 FA Women's National League Plate
- 2025–26 Women's Super League (tier 1)
- 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 (tier 2)
References
- ^ "Women's league restructure". The Football Association. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "FA approves Women's Super League expansion to 14 teams from 2026/27 season". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 20 June 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "FA WNL announces key dates and changes to promotion for 2025/26 season". The Football Association. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Promoted Forest plan to 'hit ground running'". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough win titles". The Football Association. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Bedford and Loughborough claim titles". The Football Association. 14 April 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Ipswich Town Women exhilarated after promotion". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Record crowd sees 'incredible' Cherries seal title". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 24 March 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.