Birmingham City and Crystal Palace secured their return to the Women's Super League on a dramatic final day of the season, while Charlton Athletic fell into the promotion play-off spot.
Needing a win to leapfrog rivals, Birmingham triumphed 2-0 over league leaders Charlton at The Valley, thanks to a brace from Wilma Leidhammar. Palace, meanwhile, overcame an early scare to beat already-relegated Portsmouth 6-1, coming from behind to secure their place in the top flight.
Birmingham finished as champions of the second tier, ending a four-year absence from the WSL. Palace, relegated last season, made an immediate return. The Women's Super League will expand to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season.
"I am speechless," said Birmingham manager Amy Merricks after the match. "I just had a feeling. I'm so proud of my team. They came back stronger this season."
Charlton, who had led the standings by nine points earlier in the campaign, now face a decisive playoff against Leicester on 23 May for the final WSL spot.
How the Action Unfolded
At kick-off, Palace were third but had the easiest task on paper, facing bottom-placed Portsmouth. However, they fell behind in the third minute when Megan Hornby scored directly from a corner. Molly-Mae Sharpe equalized in the 11th minute to steady the ship.
At The Valley, Charlton started brightly but gradually lost momentum. Birmingham goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse made a key save, but Leidhammar opened the scoring in the 27th minute, heading home Oceane Hurtre's cross. Whitehouse then tipped a Leidhammar free-kick onto the bar, and Batcheba Louis missed the rebound.
At half-time, Birmingham topped the table on goal difference. Palace took the lead just two minutes into the second half through Ashleigh Weerden, sparking a goal flurry that sealed their promotion.