The 2025/26 Women’s Champions League has already made history before the first ball is even kicked. The draw in Nyon, Switzerland, marked the beginning of the very first edition under the new league format and delivered major news. For the first time, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will all compete together in Europe’s top women’s soccer tournament. It’s a milestone that highlights Spain’s current strength and adds a fresh twist to what could be the most balanced season ever.
A format that doesn’t forgive mistakes
The old group stage is gone. Now there’s an 18-team league. Each club faces six different opponents, home and away, between October and December. The rules are straightforward. The top four go straight to the quarterfinals. Teams from fifth to twelfth will play a playoff in February. From thirteenth to eighteenth, the campaign ends right there.
The schedule is tight and demanding. Six rounds in just over two months. That means no breathing room. Every match carries serious weight and can shift the table. The pressure is on everyone, even the giants, because one slip could push them into the playoffs or even send them home. For fans it promises excitement from the very first round. For coaches and players it’s a demanding test, both physically and mentally.
This season also brings new stories. OH Leuven from Belgium is making its debut, already in the history books as the first club from the country to reach this stage. Atlético de Madrid and Manchester United are also playing the league phase for the first time, coming in with high expectations and the curiosity of how they’ll perform against stronger, more experienced rivals.
A season with historic meaning
UEFA has also confirmed the launch of the Women’s Europa Cup, a new continental competition that will expand the international calendar and give more clubs a chance to compete. The Champions League final will be played in Oslo, at Ullevaal Stadium, home of the Norwegian national team, with capacity for 28,000 fans. The choice of venue is symbolic, since Norway was one of the pioneers in developing women’s soccer.
With a new format, debutants chasing history and Spain’s unprecedented strength, the 2025/26 season already feels special. The tournament runs from October through May, but it’s clear from the start that every round can change everything. The Women’s Champions League is stepping into a new era, one that’s more intense, more competitive and full of meaning.