Arsenal have been handed a formidable test in the 2026/27 Women’s Champions League after being drawn against holders Barcelona in the league phase.
The Gunners, who reached last season’s semi-finals, will also meet French side OL Lyonnes, Benfica, Paris FC, HB Køge and Inter Milan over six matchdays between 22 September and 16 December.
Chelsea face a similarly demanding schedule, with Paris Saint-Germain and OL Lyonnes among their opponents. Roma, BK Häcken, Austria Wien and OH Leuven complete the Blues’ league-phase programme.
Women’s Super League champions Manchester City will return to the competition for the first time since the 2024/25 campaign. Their draw has paired them with Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, BK Häcken, Austria Wien, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
How the Women’s Champions League league phase works
The competition’s 18-team league phase is being staged for the second season under the current format. Each club will play six different opponents, with three matches at home and three away.
The teams finishing in the top four will go straight through to the quarter-finals. Those placed fifth to 12th will enter the knockout phase play-offs, where the remaining four quarter-final places will be decided.
UEFA is due to confirm the full fixture list, including the dates and kick-off times, on Saturday 5 September.
The opening matchdays will be played on 22 and 23 September, 30 September and 1 October, 28 and 29 October, 10 and 11 November, 18 and 19 November, before the final round of league-phase fixtures on 16 December.
The knockout phase play-offs are scheduled for February 2027, followed by the quarter-finals in March and the semi-finals in May.
The final is due to be held at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on 28, 29 or 30 May 2027.
