The Women’s titleholders League has unveiled its new 18- platoon league phase, and the draw promises some huge early- season showdowns.
Manchester United, making their debut in the main draw, face a tough path. Drawn from the smallest seed pot, they will take on eight- time titleholders OL Lyonnes, former winners Wolfsburg, and Juventus. They will also host Paris Saint- Germain, which means a reunion with former United goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Chelsea have been paired with Barcelona in one of the name institutions of the new format. They will also face Wolfsburg. Holders Arsenal have drawn Bayern Munich and will also host Lyonnes.
Away, Barcelona, last season’s runners- up, will host Bayern Munich, while OL Lyonnes take on Wolfsburg, St Pölten, and Atlético Madrid. Wolfsburg will play PSG and travel to Real Madrid. OH Leuven of Belgium, another freshman at this stage, will face a daunting schedule with matches against Arsenal, Barcelona, Roma, and PSG.
This revamped system replaces the old 16- platoon, four- group format. Now, all 18 brigades sit in a single league table. Each platoon plays three home and three down games, facing one platoon from each pot at home and another down. This guarantees a blend of big- name clashes for every club.
The league phase runs across six midweek rounds 7- 8 October, 15- 16 October, 11- 12 November, 19- 20 November, 9- 10 December, and homestretches on 17 December when all 18 brigades play contemporaneously. Institution dates will be verified on Saturday.
The top four brigades at the end of the league phase go straight to the quarter- tests. brigades placed fifth to 12th will enter a two-lawful playoff. Those finishing 13th or lower will be excluded. The knockout and playoff draws will take place on 18 December.
Playoffs are listed for February, quarter- tests in March and April, and the final will be held in Oslo between 22 and 24 May 2026.
Every match this season will be streamed live on Disney, marking the first time the entire competition is available on one platform.
