The UEFA Women’s Champions League returns for the 2026/27 season as Europe’s biggest club competition enters its second year under the new 18-team league phase format. The road to Warsaw is already underway, with clubs from across Europe competing for a place in the league phase and the opportunity to challenge for the most prestigious trophy in women’s club football.
This guide contains everything you need to know about the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League, including qualified teams, the competition format, key dates, qualification rounds and the latest developments throughout the season. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to European women’s football, this page will be updated throughout the campaign to provide a complete overview of the tournament.
Women’s Champions League 2026/27: Quick Facts Table
| Category | Information |
| Season | 2026/27 |
| Teams in league phase | 18 |
| League phase matches | 6 |
| Final Venue | Warsaw |
| Final Date | May 2027 |
| Defending champions | FC Barcelona |
Which Teams Have Qualified for the Women’s Champions League League Phase?
Nine clubs have secured direct qualification for the league phase, while nine additional teams will earn their places through qualifying.
Direct League Phase Entrants
| Club | Country |
| Barcelona | Spain |
| Manchester City | England |
| Arsenal | England |
| OL Lyonnes | France |
| Paris FC | France |
| Bayern Munich | Germany |
| AS Roma | Italy |
| Benfica | Portugal |
| BK Häcken | Sweden |
How Does the Women’s Champions League Format Work?
The Women’s Champions League uses an 18-team league phase format introduced by UEFA in 2025/26.
Instead of traditional groups, all 18 teams compete in one overall league table. Each club plays six matches against six different opponents, with three games at home and three away.
The top four teams automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, while clubs finishing between fifth and twelfth enter knockout phase play-offs. Teams finishing between 13th and 18th are eliminated.
The new system was introduced to create more competitive fixtures and increase the number of meaningful matches throughout the season.
Want a more detailed breakdown? Read our complete Women’s Champions League Format Explained guide.
How Does Qualification Work?
The Women’s Champions League qualification system combines direct league phase places with a multi-round qualifying process.
Nine clubs qualify automatically through UEFA’s access list, while the remaining teams compete through either the Champions Path or League Path qualification routes.
The qualification rounds begin in July and continue through August before the final league phase lineup is confirmed in September.
Read our full Women’s Champions League Qualification Explained guide for a detailed breakdown of the qualification process.
Key Dates for the Women’s Champions League 2026/27
The competition begins in July 2026 and concludes with the final in Warsaw in May 2027.
| Stage | Date |
| First Qualifying Round | 22-25 July 2026 |
| Second Qualifying Round | 5-8 August 2026 |
| Third Qualifying Round | 26 August & 2 September 2026 |
| League Phase Draw | 4 September 2026 |
| League Phase Begins | 22 September 2026 |
| League Phase Ends | 16 December 2026 |
| Knockout Phase Play-offs | February 2027 |
| Quarter-finals | March-April 2027 |
| Semi-finals | May 2027 |
| Final | 28, 29 or 30 May |
Road to Warsaw: Women’s Champions League Final 2027
The 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League season will conclude at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland. It will be the first UEFA women’s club competition final to be staged in Poland and marks another milestone in the growth of women’s football across Europe.
The stadium opened in 2012 and has hosted numerous major UEFA events, including matches during UEFA EURO 2012, the UEFA Europa League final and the UEFA Super Cup. The final is scheduled to take place on either 28, 29 or 30 May 2027. The winners will lift the Women’s Champions League trophy and secure a place in the league phase of the 2027/28 competition.
Latest Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Updates
June 2026
The first and second qualifying round draws have been completed, confirming the opening fixtures of the new European season.
July 2026
The first qualifying round mini-tournaments will determine which clubs advance to the second stage of qualification.
August 2026
The second and third qualifying rounds will decide the final nine teams entering the league phase.
September 2026
The league phase draw will take place in Nyon before the competition officially begins later in the month.
This section will be updated throughout the season with major developments, results and qualification news.
Women’s Champions League Guides
Looking to learn more about the competition?
Explore our detailed guides:
- Women’s Champions League Format Explained
- Women’s Champions League Qualification Explained
- Women’s Champions League Coefficients Explained
These articles break down some of the most complicated aspects of the tournament and explain them in simple terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the Women’s Champions League league phase?
The league phase consists of 18 teams, with nine qualifying directly and nine coming through the qualification rounds.
How many matches does each team play?
Each team plays six league phase matches against six different opponents.
Where is the 2027 Women’s Champions League final?
The final will be played at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.
When does the league phase begin?
The first league phase matches will be played on 22 and 23 September 2026.
Who are the defending champions?
Barcelona enter the season as the reigning UEFA Women’s Champions League holders.
Women’s Champions League 2026/27: Overview
The 2026/27 season promises another exciting chapter in the UEFA Women’s Champions League as Europe’s strongest clubs compete for a place in Warsaw.
With the new league phase format entering its second year, supporters can expect more high-profile fixtures, a highly competitive qualification process and an exciting race toward the final.
This guide will continue to be updated throughout the season as teams qualify, fixtures are announced and the knockout stage picture becomes clearer.