WSL 2 title race 'needs more coverage,' says Birmingham manager as three teams vie for promotion

Key facts

• Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City face off on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
• Crystal Palace, level on points with Birmingham, can win the title if they beat relegated Portsmouth.
• Both key matches are only available on YouTube, clashing with Arsenal's Women's Champions League semi-final.
• Sky Sports is showing Manchester United vs. Brighton (12:00 BST) on Saturday.
• BBC Two is broadcasting Leicester City vs. Chelsea on Sunday at 14:30 BST.
• Two automatic promotion spots are available; third-placed team enters a play-off against WSL bottom club Leicester City.
• Last season, WSL 2 games were broadcast on wider platforms, but not this year.

Title race reaches climax with three teams in contention

The Women's Super League 2 title race enters its final weekend with three clubs still in contention for the championship. Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City, the top two sides, will meet on Saturday at 15:00 BST in a direct showdown. Crystal Palace, tied on points with Birmingham in third place, can claim the crown if they defeat already-relegated Portsmouth at home.

Merricks demands more media coverage for second-tier league

Birmingham City manager Amy Merricks has called for increased coverage of the WSL 2, arguing that the league's talent deserves broader recognition. "It needs the coverage. We have fantastic players, coaches and teams in this league," Merricks said. She emphasized that the women's game should not focus solely on the top-tier WSL: "Really what we need, is to get to the point in the women's game where it's not just about the WSL and it's about both leagues."

Key matches relegated to YouTube amid scheduling conflicts

Both pivotal WSL 2 matches will be streamed only on YouTube, a platform with limited reach compared to traditional broadcasters. The fixtures clash with Arsenal's Women's Champions League semi-final in Lyon, which kicks off at 14:00 BST. Meanwhile, Sky Sports is airing the WSL match between Manchester United and Brighton on Saturday at 12:00 BST, and BBC Two is showing Leicester City versus Chelsea on Sunday at 14:30 BST.

Automatic promotion spots and play-off stakes

This season, the WSL 2 offers two automatic promotion places to the top-tier WSL. The third-placed team will face Leicester City, the bottom club in the WSL, in a play-off match. The outcome of Saturday's games will determine which teams secure direct promotion and which must navigate the play-off route.

Merricks questions lack of broadcast options this season

Asked why the WSL 2 games were not picked up for wider broadcast this year, Merricks said she did not know the reason. "This is challenging for me to comment on because I don't know why not. Last year, it was," she noted. She described last season's broader coverage as "a fantastic showcase" that helped grow the league's talent pool. "I'm sure there's a significant reason as to why there isn't," she added, while reiterating that the league "absolutely needs more exposure."

Outlook: spotlight on talent but questions remain

The weekend's matches will put a spotlight on the depth of talent in the WSL 2, Merricks said. However, the limited broadcast access raises questions about the league's visibility and growth. As the women's game expands, the disparity in coverage between the WSL and its second tier remains a contentious issue. The coming days will determine which teams rise and whether the league's profile can match its on-field quality.

The bottom line

• Three teams – Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City, and Crystal Palace – are competing for the WSL 2 title on the final day.
• Both decisive matches are only available on YouTube, limiting audience reach.
• Amy Merricks has publicly called for more media coverage of the WSL 2, noting last year's broader broadcast options.
• The WSL 2 offers two automatic promotion spots; the third-placed team enters a play-off against Leicester City.
• Scheduling conflicts with Arsenal's Champions League semi-final and top-tier WSL matches reduce potential viewership.
• The league's talent pool is growing, but exposure remains uneven compared to the WSL.