The UEFA Women’s Champions League 2025–2026 is bringing in a new era of football in the top division. In lieu of its customary group stage, the competition will now feature an 18-team league phase modeled after the men’s “Swiss model,” in which teams would play half of their games at home and half away against six other opponents. CBS Sports Golazo Network will broadcast the league phase draw on Friday at 6 a.m. ET in Nyon, Switzerland.
Here is all the information you require on the next draw:
VIewing information
- Date: Friday, Sept. 19 | Time: 6 a.m. ET
- Location: Nyon, Switzerland
- Live stream: CBS Sports Golazo Network
How does the draw work
In the league phase, team pairings will be determined by the draw. In accordance with the club coefficient rankings established at the start of the UWCL season, the 18 clubs will be split up into three pots of six clubs each. The top seed in pot 1 is Arsenal, the reigning champions.
In addition to using automatic tools, the draw will be done manually, with balls being physically taken out of a bowl. Six balls with the team names of the clubs making up the pot will be prepared for the draw, one for each of the three pots. Each club plays one opponent from each pot at home and one away after being drawn against two opponents from each of the three pots.
Each club can play against two teams from any other association, but clubs from the same association cannot be matched against one another.
More matches for more drama
The league phase, which begins with a single table where each team plays six games against six different opponents, will do away with the customary groups. Teams use conventional point systems, with three points scored for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss. They are ranked across a single table.
The top four teams go straight to the quarterfinals, while the teams ranked fifth through twelve will compete for the remaining quarterfinal slots in a two-leg knockout playoff. The 13th through 18th-ranked teams will not be allowed to compete in the event.
What teams are involved in the draw?
There are nine teams that already have a secure spot in the league phase:
- Arsenal (England, titleholders)
- Lyon (France)
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Wolfsburg (Germany)
- Barcelona (Spain)
- Chelsea (England)
- Benfica (Portugal)
- Juventus (Italy)
Which other teams will participate?
Thursday marked the end of the third qualifying round’s second leg matches. In the league phase draw, the following winners will occupy the remaining nine spots:
- Paris FC (France)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
- Manchester United (England)
- Roma (Italy)
- Twente (Netherlands)
- Vålerenga (Norway)
- St. Polten (Austria)
- OH Leuven (Belgium)
2025-26 UWCL match dates
League Phase
Matchday 1: Oct. 7-8
Matchday 2: Oct. 15-16
Matchday 3: Nov. 11-12
Matchday 4: Nov. 19-20
Matchday 5: Dec. 9-10
Matchday 6: Dec. 17
Knockout phase play-offs
Draw: Dec. 18 — Nyon, Switzerland
First leg: Feb. 11-12
Second leg: Feb. 18-19
Quarterfinals
Draw: Dec. 18 – Nyon, Switzerland
First leg: March 24-25
Second leg: April 1-2
Semifinals
Draw: Dec. 18 – Nyon, Switzerland
First leg: April 25-26
Second leg: May 2-3
Champions League Final
May 22-24: Ullevaal Stadion — Oslo, Norway
- FCS National Championship 2025-26: How to Watch, Key Matchup Info & Legacy - December 6, 2025
- Who Wins the Jerry Rice Award? Full History and Past Recipients - December 6, 2025
- Top Indoor Track and Field Meets to Watch in 2026 - December 6, 2025