Leicester City Women's team faces a pivotal relegation play-off on Saturday, 23 May, to avoid a devastating double drop for the club, following the men's team's recent demotion to League One. After a challenging season marked by nine consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) defeats and just 10 goals scored, Rick Passmoor's side finished bottom, confirmed by a 7-0 thrashing at Arsenal. This critical match offers a unique opportunity for redemption, as the WSL expands from 12 to 14 teams before the 2026-27 season, granting a play-off instead of automatic demotion.

The writing has been on the wall for Leicester City Women for some time, with their poor run culminating in a bottom-place finish. The team's struggles are evident in their goal tally, with Shannon O'Brien being the top scorer this WSL season with just four goals. The prospect of both the men's and women's teams being relegated in quick succession is seen as a "complete PR disaster," according to BBC Radio Leicester reporter Zoe McGrady, highlighting the immense pressure on Passmoor's squad.

Leicester's current predicament contrasts sharply with their performance last season under Amandine Miquel, where they achieved a record 20 points and finished 10th. However, the summer saw significant departures, including key players Yuka Momiki and academy graduate Ruby Mace, both moving to Everton, weakening the squad. A further blow came just 10 days before the 2025-26 season began, when Miquel unexpectedly left the club despite having two years remaining on her contract.

The sudden departure of Amandine Miquel left the Foxes scrambling for a replacement, leading to the appointment of former West Ham assistant Rick Passmoor, initially as interim and then permanently. While Passmoor is credited by those in the know for making a positive impact on player morale, this has not translated into improved on-field performances. Despite the results, Hannah Cain noted in March that the dressing room mood was the best she had experienced in her five-and-a-half years at Leicester, a sentiment echoed by other players.

The play-off match, scheduled for Saturday, 23 May, will be held at the home of the team that finishes third in the Women's Super League 2. For Rick Passmoor and his squad, the objective is clear: win and secure their WSL status. The alternative, a double relegation, is a scenario the club desperately wants to avoid, given the recent demotion of the men's team. This one-off opportunity represents a high-stakes battle for survival and reputation.