Orlando Pride, the reigning NWSL champions, continue to ride high as the NWSL expansion plans move forward.
Photograph: Kylie Graham/USA Today Sports

Guardian Sport
April 25, 2025

The NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) is taking bold steps to fuel the growth of women’s soccer by proposing the creation of a second-tier women’s soccer league. The league officially confirmed on Friday that it has submitted a formal application to the US Soccer Federation for this ambitious expansion.

“As a global leader in the women’s soccer landscape, both on and off the pitch, the NWSL and its member clubs are committed to growing our sport in meaningful ways,” an NWSL spokesperson told ESPN. “The demand for professional women’s soccer has never been higher. We look forward to building a strong foundation for future generations of players, officials, and coaches while ensuring the continued advancement of the women’s game.”

According to CBS Sports, eight of the NWSL’s current 14 teams have already pledged their support to the new second division. Under the proposed model, each NWSL team would be required to establish a second-division affiliate within four years. Meanwhile, the NWSL is set to expand its first division to 16 teams by 2026, marking a significant milestone in women’s soccer growth across the United States.

This isn’t the first move towards building a deeper structure for women’s soccer in the U.S. Just last week, WPSL Pro announced its plans to launch its own second-tier league. With the US Soccer Federation’s approval, the U.S. could boast nearly 50 professional women’s soccer teams by the end of 2026.

Supporters argue that introducing a second-tier women’s soccer league will strengthen the pipeline for domestic talent—especially as European players increasingly dominate the global stage.