Leicester City Women's WSL relegation play-off battle explained 2026

Leicester City Women face a WSL relegation play-off after nine straight losses and just 10 goals this season.

Leicester's season of struggles Nine consecutive Women's Super League defeats and just ten goals scored all season painted a bleak picture for Leicester City Women. The 7-0 thrashing at Arsenal on Wednesday sealed their fate, confirming they will finish bottom with two games remaining. Rick Passmoor's team now faces a play-off on May 23 at the home of the third-placed WSL side instead of automatic relegation, due to the league expanding to 14 teams in 2026-27. BBC Radio Leicester reporter Zoe McGrady noted the gravity of their situation, stating, "A double relegation would be a complete PR disaster." ## Key departures shake the squad Last season, Leicester achieved their WSL record points tally of 20 under Amandine Miquel, finishing 10th. However, summer departures of key players Yuka Momiki and academy graduate Ruby Mace to Everton significantly weakened the squad. Even more damaging, Miquel left the club just ten days before the 2025-26 season started, despite having two years left on her contract. Leicester then appointed former West Ham assistant Passmoor, initially as interim and later permanently. ## On-field improvement elusive Passmoor has reportedly improved team morale, with Leicester players describing the dressing room mood as the best in years. Zoe McGrady quoted midfielder Hannah Cain saying, "Rick has made it a priority to get them happy and he has done that, but the results aren't showing." The January recruitment of WSL-experienced players like Alisha Lehmann, Rachel Williams, and Ashleigh Neville aimed to address the slump, but fan Lucy Jones expressed skepticism: "It feels like we've got players that have signed because they weren't getting a starting position for their club." ## Financial and logistical challenges Leicester have played home WSL games at King Power Stadium since 2021, averaging 2,700 fans per game—far below the 32,261 capacity. Zoe McGrady warned that relegation to WSL 2 could force a move to Notts County’s ground for women’s games, as King Power Stadium may no longer be viable. The women’s team has trained at Belvoir Drive for over 60 years, while the men’s side uses the newer Seagrave facility, raising questions about resource allocation and financial commitments for a club with League One and potentially WSL 2 teams. ## Fan sentiment and club future Fan Lucy Jones described the mood in Leicester as a mix of sadness and anger over poor decisions, questioning whether top talent will be attracted to the club amid budget constraints. She added, "The fanbase is going to feel really, really let down." The diminishing broadcast revenue for WSL 2 would further strain both the men’s and women’s teams, which operate under different budgets but face shared competitiveness challenges. Zoe McGrady noted, "This season has been a harsh reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in elite women's football." ## Lessons from Reading's fall Reading’s relegation in 2022-23 offers a cautionary tale for Leicester. A 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on the final day confirmed their demotion after eight years in the WSL. Their men’s team was also relegated that season for breaching financial rules. Three years later, Reading’s women’s team has fallen to the Southern Region Premier Division, playing home games at Arbour Park in Slough, five leagues below their WSL days. Leicester’s men were also docked six points this season for financial breaches, drawing eerie parallels. ## Play-off stakes and next steps Leicester’s play-off clash on May 23 at the third-placed WSL team’s ground represents their final chance to avoid WSL 2. Passmoor has acknowledged the need for a "reset" if relegation is confirmed, despite maintaining an upbeat public stance. The club has not yet revealed potential cuts or changes, but the financial and emotional toll of double relegation looms large over the season’s conclusion. Zoe McGrady emphasized the PR disaster of facing two relegations in one year, underscoring the high stakes for Leicester City.