To: The Barclays Women’s Championship, Barclays Womens Super League and the WPLL (Women's Professional League Limited) 

As supporters, followers, and stakeholders in women’s football, we believe that identity, visibility, and legacy matter — especially as the women’s game grows rapidly at home and abroad.

We, the undersigned, call on the governing bodies and commercial partners of women’s football in England to:

Retain the name "Barclays Women’s Championship"

Reconsider the new visual identity and logo rebrand of both top tiers

🚫 A Rebrand That Risks Reversal

For years, the Women's Championship (formerly WSL2) has built a distinct, respected identity of its own — not as a second-class version of the Super League, but as a vital and fiercely competitive league with dedicated fanbases, historic clubs, and a strong media presence.

The decision to rename the Barclays Women’s Championship back to "WSL2" signals a regressive shift — reducing the league to a subordinate position and risking the loss of digital recognition, press coverage traction, and club independence.

The name "Championship" brought parity with the men’s structure and offered a strong, standalone brand that clubs and supporters could rally behind. It encouraged coverage, growth, and investment. Reverting to "WSL2" feels like a downgrade, eroding the very progress that has been made.

🌀 Branding Confusion Hurts Visibility

The new logo designs for both tiers — introduced for the 2025/26 season — are over-stylised and underwhelming. While clearly intended to appear modern and clean, they fail to express anything uniquely connected to women’s football. The new Championship logo resembles a tech or gaming emblem, rather than a national league steeped in tradition and passion.

By contrast, the previous logos — while simple — were effective and recognisable, carrying strong visual cues that connected fans across broadcast, merchandise, and digital platforms. The old design wasn’t perfect, but it was proud, bold, and above all — it worked.

📉 Social Engagement at Risk

With every rebrand, social media engagement is a measurable casualty. The renaming of WSL2 strips clubs of search consistency, fans of league clarity, and sponsors of a dependable digital landscape.

Imagine the confusion:

"WSL" and "WSL2" once again create a tiered hierarchy in perception.

Algorithms lose context — meaning less reach, less interaction, and slower growth.

These decisions must be made with fan behaviour and social data in mind — not just design studios.

💬 What We Want:

We are not calling for stagnation — but for smart progression.

✅ Retain the Barclays Women’s Championship name

✅ Restore the previous logo designs or commission new ones that reflect the energy, history, and ambition of the women’s game

✅ Engage in transparent dialogue with fans, clubs, and women’s football professionals before making identity-altering decisions

⚽ A League with Purpose Deserves an Identity with Strength

Women's football is not a brand experiment. It is a movement, a mission, and a massive part of England’s sporting future. League names and logos are not just decoration — they are the front-facing identity of our game.

Don’t reduce the Championship to WSL2. Don’t swap bold for bland. Don’t silence the voices of supporters who helped build this.

✍️ Sign the Petition Today

Let the WPLL, Barclays Women's Super League and Women's Championship know that you stand for progress, not PR packaging. Let’s keep the Barclays Women’s Championship strong and proudly distinct — and let’s make sure the visual identity matches the passion behind the game.

#KeepTheChampionship #RestoreTheBadge #WomensFootballDeservesBetter