What's Happening?
The UEFA Women's Champions League is introducing a new league phase format for the 2025-26 season, replacing the traditional group stage. This new format, inspired by the men's 'Swiss model,' will feature 18 teams playing against six different opponents, with matches split between home and away venues. The league phase draw is scheduled to take place in Nyon, Switzerland, and will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Golazo Network. Arsenal, the reigning titleholders, are the top seed in pot 1. The draw will involve three pots of six clubs each, determined by club coefficient rankings. Clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other, but can play against teams from other associations.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of the league phase format marks a significant shift in the structure of the UEFA Women's Champions League, aiming to increase competitiveness and engagement. This change could impact the dynamics of women's football in Europe, offering more matches and opportunities for teams to showcase their skills. The new format may also influence the strategies of clubs as they adapt to playing against a wider range of opponents. For fans, this could mean more exciting and unpredictable matchups, enhancing the overall appeal of the tournament.
What's Next?
Following the draw, teams will prepare for the league phase matches, which are set to begin in October. The top four teams from the league phase will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while teams ranked fifth through twelfth will compete in a knockout playoff for the remaining spots. The tournament will culminate in the Champions League Final in May 2026, held at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway.
