The new 2025/26 Women's Champions League has started to take shape. FC Barcelona now know their first six opponents in an edition that has changed its format. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Roma, OH Leuven and Paris will be the first hurdles for the blaugrana women, who are aiming to reach another European final, this year at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Pere Romeu’s team first need to navigate the new league-phase format: three home games against Bayern Munich, Benfica, and OH Leuven, and three away fixtures against Chelsea, Roma, and Paris FC — with no repeated opponents.

This phase works like a league, made up of 18 teams, not unlike the system now used for the men's tournament. The top four will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, while those finishing between 5th and 12th will battle it out in a two-legged play-off round to join the other quartet in the last eight. The teams placed 13th to 18th will be eliminated.

 

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