In a highly anticipated draw held in Nyon, Switzerland, the defending champions of the Women’s Champions League, Barcelona, are set to face Arsenal in a rematch of the 2025 final, which was won by the London club. This matchup is one of the highlights of the group stage, which features 18 teams competing for the prestigious title.
Barcelona enters this season amid a period of transition, having seen the departure of key players, including two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas. Despite these changes, the team has been given a manageable group that includes matches against Paris FC and Servette, as well as challenging away games against Bayern Munich, Roma, and Denmark's HB Køge. The group stage is set to kick off later this month, with the first matches scheduled for September 22.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will also be looking to make a strong impression in the tournament. In addition to their clash with Barcelona, they will host the eight-time champions OL Lyonnes, as well as Benfica and Køge, while also making trips to Paris FC and Inter Milan. Arsenal's history in the competition adds to the significance of their encounters, particularly against a formidable opponent like Barcelona.
OL Lyonnes, who were the runners-up in the previous season, will face a tough group that includes matches against Arsenal, Juventus, and Servette, while also hosting Chelsea, Europa Cup winners Häcken, and Inter Milan. The competition is expected to be fierce, as these clubs vie for a place in the knockout stages.
English champions Manchester City will host Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Austria Vienna, while they will travel to face Bayern Munich, Häcken, and Inter Milan. Real Madrid will have a challenging schedule as well, hosting both Paris clubs and Inter, while also having away games at Bayern, Roma, and Manchester City.
The league phase of the Women’s Champions League consists of six rounds, running from September 22 to December 16. The top four teams in the standings at the end of this phase will qualify directly for the quarterfinals, which are set to begin in March. Teams finishing fifth to twelfth will enter the knockout playoffs in February, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
The final of the Women’s Champions League will take place in late May at Poland’s national stadium in Warsaw, where the champions will be crowned. The UEFA prize money fund for this season exceeds $21 million, with each participating club guaranteed a share of 505,000 euros ($587,000). Additionally, the Women’s Europa Cup, which debuted last year and was won by Häcken, offers 5.6 million euros ($6.5 million) in prize money, further highlighting the growing investment in women's football.
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