Guide to Women's Football

From record-breaking crowds at the WSL to community teams playing on a Sunday morning — women's football in England is booming at every level.

LeaguePages Team Updated April 2026

The Growth of Women's Football

Women's football in England has experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade. The success of the Lionesses — particularly their European Championship victory in 2022 and their FIFA Women's World Cup final appearance in 2023 — brought unprecedented attention to the women's game at all levels.

Attendance records are regularly broken in the Women's Super League, youth participation has surged, and grassroots women's clubs are being founded at a remarkable rate across the country.

The impact has been felt far beyond the national team. The Football Association has committed to making football the top participation sport for women and girls in England.

The Women's Football Pyramid

Like the men's game, women's football in England is structured as a pyramid with promotion and relegation connecting every level. The structure has evolved significantly in recent years as the game has professionalised.

Tier 1

Women's Super League (WSL)

~12 clubs

The top flight of women's football. Fully professional with international stars and large crowds. Clubs include Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Tier 2

Women's Championship

~12 clubs

The second tier. A pathway to the WSL through promotion. Mix of professional and semi-professional clubs.

Tier 3

WNL Northern / Southern Premier

~~28 clubs

Two regional premier divisions forming the Women's National League. Semi-professional with growing crowds.

Tier 4

WNL Division One North / South / Midlands

~~42 clubs

Three regional Division One leagues. Mix of semi-professional and ambitious grassroots clubs.

Tiers 5–7

Regional & County Leagues

~100s clubs

County-level women's leagues across England. Community-based clubs playing for the love of the game. The fastest-growing area of the women's pyramid.

Playing Women's Football

Women's and girls' football is accessible at every level. If you want to get involved:

Find a local club — Browse the Women's Football Directory to find clubs in your county. Many run open training sessions for new players.
Casual football — Many areas have women's walking football, recreational leagues and social football sessions. Check with your local county FA.
Youth development — Girls can join football from age 5 upwards through club youth sections, school teams and county FA development centres.
Coaching and volunteering — Clubs always need coaches, referees and volunteers. Contact your local club or county FA to find out how to get involved.

Watching & Future

Watching Women's Football

Women's football offers an incredibly welcoming matchday experience. Tickets are affordable — often under £10 — and clubs make a real effort to create family-friendly atmospheres. Many WSL and Championship matches are broadcast live on television, while lower-tier games provide the joy of grassroots football with accessible entry prices.

The Future of Women's Football

The trajectory of the women's game is clear: upward. With more investment, better facilities, increased media coverage and record participation numbers, women's football is heading for a golden era. The challenge now is ensuring that the growth at the top of the game filters down to grassroots level, with sustainable funding for community clubs and accessible pathways for players of all ages.

LeaguePages is committed to providing the same depth of coverage for women's football as men's. Our women's football hub covers all tiers with league tables, fixtures, results and club profiles.

Women's Club Directory

Find a club near you

Women's Leagues

Tables & results

The Football Pyramid

Full structure guide

Non-League Football

Grassroots guide

Frequently Asked Questions

There are thousands of women's and girls' football clubs across England. LeaguePages lists the most comprehensive database of women's clubs at all levels of the pyramid.

Yes — grassroots women's clubs welcome players of all abilities. Many clubs run open training sessions and social football events. Contact your local club or county FA to find out about opportunities.

The women's pyramid runs from the WSL (Tier 1) through the Championship (Tier 2), Women's National League (Tiers 3-4) and regional/county leagues (Tiers 5-7). Promotion and relegation connect all levels.

The Women's Super League became fully professional in 2018. Before that, most WSL players were semi-professional. The Championship is currently a mix of professional and semi-professional clubs.

Use the LeaguePages Women's Football Directory to browse clubs by county. You can also search by city or town to find the nearest women's and girls' teams.