Arsenal to face Barca & Lyon in Women's Champions League

What the report says

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have learned their opponents for the new league phase of the Women's Champions League, following Friday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland. Arsenal were handed a challenging set of fixtures that includes holders Barcelona and eight-time winners Lyon, while Chelsea were paired with Lyon away and will also meet Paris St-Germain, Roma and debutants Austria Wien. Manchester City, back in Europe after missing out last season, were drawn against Bayern Munich, PSG, Real Madrid and Austria Wien among their six matches.

For Arsenal, the draw brings a familiar European storyline: they will host Lyon and travel to Barcelona, with both clubs seen as major contenders. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor will return to face former club Lyon, adding extra interest to the tie in France. City, placed in pot three, avoided Barcelona and Lyon but still face a demanding schedule against established European sides, including Bayern and PSG.

The league phase features 18 clubs, each drawn against two teams from each pot, with one home and one away fixture against each opponent. Uefa will confirm the full match schedule on Saturday, 5 September. Matchday 1 is set for 22-23 September, and the final round of league games will be played on 16 December. The competition then moves into knockout play-offs in February 2027, with the final scheduled for Warsaw in late May. As background, the format is part of the expanded Women’s Champions League structure, designed to create more high-profile matches before the knockout rounds.