Women’s Champions League draw: mouthwatering games await in new phase

Manchester United were handed a tricky-looking set of opponents on their debut in the main draw of the Women’s Champions League, while Chelsea will host Barcelona in one of the most eye-catching games of the new 18-team league phase.

United, who were in the lowest-seeded pot, have been pitted against OL Lyonnes, the renamed record eight-time champions, the former winners Wolfsburg and Juventus among their six opponents. They also face a reunion with their ormer goalkeeper Mary Earps when they host Paris Saint-Germain, arguably the toughest-available opponent in the second pot. Arsenal, the holders, will also host OL Lyonnes, as well as travelling to Bayern Munich. Chelsea also take on Wolfsburg.

The new system replaces the 16-team four-groups-of-four format. It is not that dissimilar to the revamp the men’s competition underwent a year ago: all 18 teams will be placed into a single league table with those involved not all facing each other. Each team plays three games at home and three games away.

The league phase will take place across six separate rounds of midweek fixtures: on 7-8 October, 15-16 October, 11-12 November, 19-20 November, and 9-10 December, concluding on 17 December when all 18 teams play simultaneously.

The top four teams at the end of the league phase qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, while the teams who finish fifth to 12th enter a two-legged playoff. The teams who finish 13th and below will be eliminated. The draw for the knockout phase and the playoffs will be conducted on 18 December.

The playoff round will be held in February, with the quarter-finals taking place in March and April. The final in Oslo will take place on a date between 22 and 24 May 2026.