Three teams, two spots: Birmingham City, Crystal Palace, and Charlton Athletic vie for automatic promotion in WSL 2's final day fixtures. The Women's Super League expanded from 12 to 14 teams from 2026-27, allowing three second-tier teams to ascend this season—a first since 2019-20—while third place faces a play-off with bottom WSL team. Charlton leads on 42 points (2-2 vs Southampton), Birmingham sits on 41 (3-0 L vs Ipswich), and Palace shares 41 (2-1 L vs Sunderland). With fixtures on 2 May (15:00 BST), promotion hinges on Birmingham-Carlton clash, Palace-Pompey, and goal difference: Blues boast a 7-point lead over Palace. If both Birmingham and Palace win or lose, Charlton must avoid defeat at home; Palace ascend if they win or Carlton loses. Burnley and Watford join WSL 2 next season, while Wolves and Plymouth contest a play-off for the remaining spot on May 4.

The expanded league, voted in June 2023, shifts promotion dynamics: last season Birmingham clinched a spot over London City Lionesses, but Ipswich's 3-0 rout of Blues on Sunday relegated Portsmouth to National League South, replacing three third-tier teams. This marks the second straight season Birmingham faces a winner-takes-all final-day battle, now with Crystal Palace as a wildcard, unlike last year's sole contender. League leaders Charlton must secure a draw to retain their lead, while Palace's win or Carlton's loss ensures their ascension. The promotion race hinges on two games and goal difference, with Birmingham's superior stats positioning them to join the top flight on May 2.