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.
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, 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.
Premier Division Northern Premier Division
Changes from last season: Nottingham Forest were promoted to the WSL 2 as WNL North champions. Middlesbrough were promoted from Division One North as champions. Loughborough Lightning were promoted from Division One Midlands as champions. Stourbridge were relegated to Division One Midlands.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25BurnleyLancashire County Ground, Leyland Derby CountyDon Amott Arena, DerbyHalifaxHorsfall Stadium, Bradford Hull City Easy Buy Stadium, Barton-upon-HumberLiverpool FedsJericho Lane, LiverpoolLoughborough LightningLoughborough University Stadium, LoughboroughMiddlesbroughBishopton Road West, StocktonRugby BoroughKilsby Lane, RugbySporting KhalsaGuardian Warehousing Arena, WillenhallStoke CityWellbeing Park, YarnfieldWest Bromwich AlbionValley Stadium, RedditchWolverhampton WanderersNew Bucks Head, Telford
League table
Results
Southern Premier Division
Changes from last season: Ipswich Town were promoted to WSL 2 as WNL South champions. Real Bedford were promoted from Division One South East as champions. AFC Bournemouth were promoted from Division One South West as champions. Milton Keynes Dons were relegated to Division One South East.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25AFC BournemouthLong Lane, RingwoodAFC WimbledonImperial Fields, MordenBillericay TownNew Lodge, BillericayCheltenham TownKayte Lane, Bishop's CleeveExeter CityCoach Road, Newton AbbotGwalia UnitedNewport Stadium, NewportHashtag UnitedParkside, AveleyLewesThe Dripping Pan, LewesOxford UnitedMarsh Lane, MarstonPlymouth ArgyleHome Park, Plymouth Real BedfordMcMullen Park, BedfordWatfordOrbital Fasteners Stadium, Kings Langley
League table
Results
Promotion play-off
Division One Division One North
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.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25Blackburn RoversShawbridge, ClitheroeCheadle Town StingersPark Road Stadium, CheadleChester-le-Street TownMoor Park House, Chester-le-StreetChorleyJim Fowlers Memorial Ground, EuxtonDoncaster Rovers BellesEco-Power Stadium, DoncasterDurham CestriaThe Graham Sports Centre, DurhamHuddersfield TownThe Stafflex Arena, KirkburtonLeeds UnitedBannister Prentice Stadium, GarforthNorton & Stockton AncientsStation Road, Norton, County DurhamStockport CountyStockport Sports Village, StockportWythenshaweHollyhedge Park Community Stadium, SharstonYork CityUniversity of York Sports Centre, York
League table
Results
Division One Midlands
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.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25Barnsley Women'sSheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Sheffield Boldmere St. MichaelsThe Amber Arena and Community Stadium, Sutton ColdfieldKidderminster HarriersKing George V Playing Fields, DroitwichLeafield AthleticCastle Vale Stadium, BirminghamLincoln UnitedAshby Avenue, LincolnNorthampton TownO'Riordan Bond Stadium, MoultonNotts CountyCoronation Park, EastwoodPeterborough UnitedPIMS Park, PeterboroughSheffield F.C.Home of Football Stadium, DronfieldStourbridgeWar Memorial Athletic Ground, AmblecoteSutton Coldfield TownCentral Ground, Sutton ColdfieldWorcester CitySixways Stadium, Worcester
League table
Results
Division One South East
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.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25ActoniansRectory Park, NortholtAFC SudburyKing's Marsh Stadium, SudburyCambridge UnitedRowley Park, St NeotsChatham TownBauvill Stadium, Chatham Chesham UnitedThe Meadow, CheshamDulwich HamletChampion Hill, East DulwichFulhamMotspur Park, New MaldenLondon BeesThe Hive, EdgwareLuton TownSharpenhoe Road, Barton-le-ClayMilton Keynes DonsStadium MK, Milton KeynesNorwich CityThe Nest, HorsfordQueens Park RangersPowerday Stadium, Perivale
League table
Results
Division One South West
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.
ClubHome groundPosition 2024–25Abingdon UnitedNorthcourt Stadium, AbingdonAscot UnitedThe Racecourse Ground, AscotBournemouth SportsChapel Gate, HurnBridgwater UnitedFairfax Park, BridgwaterBristol RoversMemorial Stadium, BristolKeynsham TownCrown Field, KeynshamMaidenhead UnitedYork Road, MaidenheadMarine Academy PlymouthErme Valley, IvybridgeMoneyfieldsMoneyfields Sports Ground, PortsmouthPortishead TownBristol Road, PortisheadSwindon TownCounty Ground, SwindonWorthingWoodside Road, Worthing
League table
Results
Promotion play-offs
Awards Monthly awards MonthPremier DivisionDivision OneRef.ManagerClubManagerClubAugust Helen BleazardBournemouth Dylan WimburyCheadle Town StingersSeptember Renée HectorWatford Steve JayeFulhamOctober Daniel McNamaraWolverhampton Wanderers James MulvihillWythenshaweNovember Lou RobertsBurnley Graham AbercrombieSheffield F.C.December Helen BleazardBournemouth Karl WatsonMoneyfieldsJanuary Liam GilbertOxford United Tash TezgelLeafield AthleticFebruary Marie HourihanPlymouth Argyle Michael ThirdDurham Cestria
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
External links Official website of the FA Women's National League