The Women’s Premier League (WPL) will return next Saturday (Jan 24) with a revamped competition structure aimed at raising standards and improving player development, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Key changes for the 2026 season include the return of promotion and relegation between the WPL and the Women’s National League (WNL), a revised prize money framework, and the introduction of WPL ‘B’ teams in the second-tier WNL.
Prize money has been adjusted to reward consistency across the season. While the champions’ purse remains unchanged at S$25,000, the second-placed team will now receive S$20,000 (up from S$10,000), with third place earning S$17,000 (previously S$7,500).
Last implemented in 2019, promotion and relegation will also make a comeback.
The WNL champions will earn automatic promotion to the WPL, while the bottom-placed WPL side will be relegated. The second-last WPL team will face the WNL runners-up in a play-off to determine the final WPL spot for the following season.
Nine teams will contest the 2026 WPL season across 18 match weeks, with fixtures played at Bukit Gombak Stadium and Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The league will start earlier than in previous years to align with major international commitments, including the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Cup in July and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers in October.
No league matches will be scheduled during FIFA Women’s international windows in February, March, and May/June.
Another addition is the introduction of WPL ‘B’ teams in the WNL, allowing top-flight clubs to field secondary squads for player development. Clubs may name up to five B-team players in a WPL matchday squad, though B-teams will not be eligible for promotion.
The WNL season begins a week after WPL on Jan 31 and will feature 11 teams, including the B-teams of Still Aerion and Lion City Sailors.
All WPL matches will be livestreamed and entry to all matches at both venues will be free.
