The Women's Super League 2 was "crying out" for extra promotion places and additional spots are a "massive incentive" for clubs to invest, say players in the second tier.

Since promotion and relegation to and from the Women's Super League (WSL) was introduced in 2014, only the champions have earned a spot in the top flight.

That will change in the forthcoming campaign, with the WSL expanding from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season.

The top two in the WSL2 will be promoted this season, while the third-placed club will face a play-off with the WSL's bottom team.

"It's hugely motivating, something the league has been crying out for," Durham's Becky Salicki told BBC Sport at a WSL2 media day.

"It's a step that needed to be done and I'm glad the league has done it. It gives us extra motivation to keep kicking on."

The move comes as part of the increasing professionalisation of women's club football in England. For the first time in 2025-26, all 12 WSL2 sides are completely full-time.

There are fears of a growing gap between the top two tiers, with the newly promoted side relegated after one season in each of the last two WSL campaigns - Bristol City in 2023-24 and Crystal Palace last year.

But Salicki is unconcerned, pointing to the gap between the WSL top four of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City to the rest of the teams.

"There is a gulf there, but there's a gulf in the division regardless - there's a gulf between the top four and the rest of the WSL," added the 33-year-old defender.

"If the infrastructure is there, anyone can compete. I was in the Sunderland team the year they got promoted [in 2014] and everyone wrote them off, but they were flying high that year.

"There has to be an organic growth, it cannot just be flung at people. It has been done in the right way. Now the right step is for multiple promotions and hopefully that continues for the years to come."

The two automatic promotion places are a one-season deal. In the 2026-27 campaign, second place in WSL2 will mean a play-off against the 13th-placed WSL side, with third missing out.

This adds a sense of urgency for sides in the highly competitive WSL2. Last season eight of the 11 sides were in promotion contention at times, while nine points separated the top five come the end of the campaign.

Ultimately, promotion was only decided on the final day, when champions London City Lionesses secured a 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City, who finished two points behind in second spot.

"It is a massive incentive, any club would be amiss not to invest," Sunderland's Brianna Westrup told BBC Sport. "You never know when that many spaces might be available - even next season there is one less.

"Two seasons ago we finished third. It is definitely attainable. We all have our eyes set on that."

"With three potentially going up it's a huge opportunity," added Southampton goalkeeper Fran Stenson. "Everyone can see how much has been invested, and with 12 professional teams hopefully it's all positive."

The competitiveness, and added promotion places, of the English second tier has allowed it to draw in more talent.

Former England midfielder Jordan Nobbs has dropped down from WSL side Aston Villa to Newcastle United, while Bristol City striker Rio Hardy says it was also a factor when she chose to leave Scottish giants Rangers this summer.

"My goal is to play in the WSL," Hardy, 29, told BBC Sport. "I was clear with Charlotte [Healy, Robins manager] about that. It was one of the things that pulled her to me, we both want promotion and to achieve my dream.

"Playing for Rangers I'm used to competing for trophies, that's something we want to do at Bristol City. There's a lot more to play for, with possible three promotion places, it's what more clubs will be aiming for and it will draw more people to the league because of that."