The Football Association Board, Council and Shareholders have collectively agreed to introduce a series of governance reforms, including steps to strengthen the representation, influence and long-term development of women’s football across the English game.
The reforms are an important part of the continued evolution of our corporate governance structure and are designed to ensure that English football is better equipped to meet the requirements of our modern and increasingly diverse game. They reflect our ongoing commitment to support the growth, development and sustainability of women’s football in the future.
After consultation with key stakeholders across the game, the following governance reforms have been ratified by the FA Board, Council and Shareholders:
FA CLUB MEMBERSHIP
New criteria for FA Club Membership will be introduced to meet the requirements of the modern game and ensure equal recognition for clubs across the men’s and women’s game. Under the changes, women’s clubs would, for the first time, be eligible to become an FA Club Member, addressing a longstanding imbalance in the current structure. A total of 91 new shares will be issued, increasing total club shareholding from 203 to 294 from the start of the 2026-27 season.
The FA Club Membership process will be further improved by removing complex qualification criteria and discontinuing the current Associate Member Club status. From the start of the 2026-27 season, clubs competing at Step/Tier 3 and above in the men’s or women’s football pyramids would automatically receive FA Club Member status, one ordinary share in The FA and ticketing benefits. Membership fees will also be removed for FA Club Members to help reduce administrative requirements.
LEAGUE REPRESENTATION ON FA COUNCIL
We have reviewed the representation of the various leagues at the Professional and National Leagues Pyramid levels of the men’s and women’s game. This will ensure that the men’s and women’s leagues from lower levels of the Pyramid will be more effectively represented within the FA Council.
FA BOARD COMPOSITION
The FA Board has reviewed its composition and will appoint an additional Independent Non-Executive Director with deep knowledge and broad experience of all levels of the women’s game. The Nominations Committee will be tasked to ensure that candidates can demonstrate competence across the women’s football pyramid, from grassroots through to the professional level.
NATIONAL GAME BOARD INDEPENDENT CHAIR
The FA Board supports the principle of Independent Chairs for each of its main committees and the National Game Board has agreed to appoint an Independent Chair. The Articles relating to the composition of the National Game Board will be changed to provide for an Independent Chair.
FA Chair, Debbie Hewitt MBE, said: "We are pleased to introduce these governance reforms, which include important steps that will help to strengthen and support the growth of women’s football across England. The women’s game has developed significantly in recent years, both on and off the pitch, and it is vital that our governance structures evolve alongside it. These changes will help ensure that women’s football has a stronger voice within decision-making processes to support its long-term success, sustainability and development at every level.
"We believe these reforms are an important step towards creating a more inclusive, representative and forward-looking future for English football, and I would like to thank the FA Board, Council and Shareholders for their support and engagement throughout this process."
