Arsenal to face Lyon in Women´s Champions League, Chelsea get Barca reunion

European champions Arsenal will face eight-time winners Lyon in the league phase of the Women’s Champions League, following Friday’s draw.

Arsenal won their second European crown by overcoming Barcelona in May’s final, with Stina Blackstenius scoring the only goal of the game.

They are one of three Women’s Super League teams to feature in the revamped, 18-team league phase, which will see each team play six games under a format similar to that adopted by the men’s competition.

As well as facing Lyon, who they beat 5-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals last season, Renee Slegers’ team face challenging encounters with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as meetings with Twente, Benfica, and OH Leuven.

Chelsea won an English treble last season but were routed 8-2 on aggregate by Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, and they will get a chance for revenge in the league stage.

The Blues will host the Blaugrana – who have made the last five finals, winning three – as well as Roma and Paris FC, while Wolfsburg, St Polten and Twente are their away fixtures.

Home and away opponents for Pot 1 teams #UWCL || #UWCLdraw pic.twitter.com/7Z51dzgeay

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) September 19, 2025

Manchester United are appearing in the main draw for the very first time after Elisabeth Terland’s hat-trick helped them beat Brann 3-1 in the second leg of their third-round qualification tie on Thursday.

Marc Skinner’s team have been handed a tough slate of games, facing Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain and Valerenga at home, while visiting Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Aside from their trip to Chelsea, Barcelona will visit Roma and Paris FC, while playing host to Bayern Munich, Benfica and OH Leuven.

The order of fixtures has not yet been revealed, with matchday one being staged on October 7 and 8.