What Rangers and Celtic moving to the WSL would mean for women's football explained

Preliminary talks have been held over the possibility of Celtic and Rangers joining the Women’s Super League, with reports claiming that a move is being explored.

The Times report that the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, who took ownership of the WSL and the Women’s Championship in August, have held exploratory conversations as part of a plan to try and expand the Women’s game. It is also added that there is also talks going on around the WSL becoming a ‘closed league’

Talks are, however, at an early stage with the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the Scottish FA yet to be approached about any arrangement. The latter would have to agree to any move, which could be difficult, while there is also a two-season notice period for leaving the league, meaning the earliest it could happen would be the start of the 2027/28 season.

The inclusion of Rangers and Celtic in the WSL would most likely see the league expand from the 12-team league it currently is to a 14-team league. There is, however, a suggestion that the change could see the league become a closed one ad proposals in the past have claimed that it would encourage investment into teams due to the threat of relegation being eliminated.

The format would be akin to the same one used in America. It’s in place in the National Women’s Socer League, but is not something that is used a lot in British sport, with jeopardy and sporting integrity often preferred.

Speaking about the potential of Celtic and Rangers joining the English league, Celtic Women’s head coach Elena Sadiuku said: "It is a tricky question. When it comes to that question, we can say that competing against Arsenal, Chelsea - it is a different level.

"Is it nice to play against those teams? Yes.

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