Women's Super League 2025-26 season review: How each club performed

Another Women's Super League season is complete, but how did each club get on in 2025-26?

Manchester City were crowned champions, while Leicester City were relegated with defeat by Charlton Athletic in the inaugural play-off.

Newcomers London City Lionesses quickly settled in, but Tottenham were the surprise package, finishing the best of the rest outside the traditional top four.

But who else impressed and who failed to meet expectations?

Prediction: 3rd

It was the perfect season for Manchester City as they claimed their first league title in a decade - and in manager Andree Jeglertz's debut campaign.

With no Champions League football to distract them, City were able to throw everything at the WSL title and they swept up the opposition.

They went on a 13-game winning streak between September and February and, at one point, had a 12-point lead over Chelsea.

They also kept key players Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema fit, with the two scoring a combined 31 goals - half of the club's overall tally.

With a squad packed with talent and depth, City will hope to compete on several fronts in Europe next year, but must replace Shaw, who looks set to leave.

Prediction: 2nd

Having been crowned European champions last year, there were high hopes for Arsenal in their pursuit of a first WSL title since 2019.

But injuries and a disappointing handful of performances left them chasing early on, and that was enough to give City the advantage in the title race.

Another strong run to the semi-finals of the Champions League was a welcome addition to an otherwise steady season for Arsenal.

It will be a bit of a transitional year in 2026-27 with senior players departing and fresh faces arriving, but they are in a good place to challenge for more silverware.

Prediction: Champions

After winning six successive WSL titles, Chelsea signed forward Alyssa Thompson and defender Ellie Carpenter, so it was hard to look past them in the summer.

But an injury crisis up front and disruption behind the scenes, with the departure of much-loved head of women's football Paul Green, impacted a disappointing season.

Manager Sonia Bompastor had heat on her from fans for most of 2026, but her side were still able to win the League Cup in March.

However, a team of Chelsea's stature want to win bigger things and Bompastor has rightly called on the club to ensure they build a deep squad next season.

Prediction: 4th

It was always going to be hard for Manchester United to finish above their top three rivals and navigate a debut campaign in the Champions League.

They can be pleased with their European exploits. Reaching the quarter-finals with a relatively small squad should be celebrated.

However, their league form took a hit when they reached the knockout stages, with key midfielder Ella Toone unavailable for most of 2026.

A frustration is the lack of competition they provide for the top three rivals. Since Marc Skinner was appointed manager, United have conceded the most WSL goals against Chelsea (26), Manchester City (21) and Arsenal (15). That has to change.

Prediction: 11th

The biggest surprise of the season was without a doubt Tottenham's revival under manager Martin Ho.

Having arrived last summer, Ho took over a squad who finished second bottom in 2024-25 and were tipped to be involved in another relegation battle.

He turned them into one of the league's most competitive sides and they impressed in showdowns with Manchester United and Arsenal.

Shrewd business in the January transfer window gave Spurs another boost and the club look ambitious for next season. A hugely successful year.

Prediction: 5th

The WSL newcomers, backed by billionaire Michele Kang and with no affiliation to a men's club, attracted a mountain of intrigue before the season began.

It felt like they were never going to be a club fighting relegation but instead one that could disrupt the usual order and produce a bang in the WSL.

They showed signs of what they could do and a sixth-placed finish in their debut season in the top flight is certainly an achievement.

But sacking manager Jocelyn Precheur at the midway point felt unnecessary and it is still unclear what direction Eder Maestre will take the club next season.

Prediction: 7th

It has been a season of ups and downs for Brighton, who are preparing to play in their first FA Cup final on Sunday, which is a sign of growth.

But Dario Vidosic's side have shown on several occasions they have what it takes to finish higher up the table - they are just not able to produce it consistently enough.

That will be a frustration, especially considering London City Lionesses and Tottenham had much more work to do in the summer.

Tragedy hit in January when Vidosic's father and club employee Rado died, so Brighton can be proud of their response.

Prediction: 6th

It was a disappointing season for Everton, who had high hopes following the arrival of new owners and a strong foundation built by former boss Brian Sorensen.

But a poor start to the campaign led to Sorensen's sacking, a day after the winter transfer window shut, and, while they recovered, it stumped their progress.

Interim boss Scott Phelan has steadied the ship, but Everton go into the summer with work to do to improve the squad and to appoint a permanent manager.

Prediction: 8th

Liverpool warned supporters it could be a difficult campaign following a disruptive summer which included the departure of star player Olivia Smith and vice-captain Taylor Hinds, both to Arsenal.

Manager Gareth Taylor was appointed late because of issues with his previous contract at Manchester City, and serious injuries to key players contributed to Liverpool dropping to the bottom of the table.

The death of former manager Matt Beard in September also led to unimaginable challenges for the club.

But new signings in January were a welcome boost and Liverpool clawed their way off the bottom of the table with encouraging performances.

Prediction: 12th

Sacking Amandine Miquel 10 days before their season opener against Manchester United meant Leicester were always on the backfoot.

It led to a poor campaign which ended in relegation on Saturday after a five-year stay in the WSL.

Rick Passmoor's squad lacked identity and netted only 11 - the league's lowest scorers.

A 13-game losing run in 2026 left them bottom of the table and they could not secure their survival in the play-off defeat by Charlton.

It will be an uncertain time for players facing contract renewal discussions in the next few weeks and Leicester will have to compete with richer clubs in WSL 2.