Women's Champions League draw: Everything Arsenal fans need to know
Arsenal Women's latest European adventure is about to begin all over again. The Gunners were crowned Champions League winners for the second time in Lisbon back in May 2025, one of the greatest days in the club's illustrious history.
Last time round, Renée Slegers' side fell just short of reaching back-to-back finals, narrowly ousted by Olympique Lyonnais Féminin 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, with a new WSL season almost upon us, Gooners everywhere are optimistic once again.
However, before their league opener against Brighton at Broadfield on Sunday, Arsenal will learn who they will come up against in this season's Champions League. So, here is what you need to know ahead of the draw.
The Women's Champions League league phase draw takes place at UEFA HQ in Nyon on Friday 4 September. It is scheduled to start at 11am (BST) or 6am (ET).
The draw will be live streamed on UEFA.com
Arsenal are in pot 1, by virtue of being ranked fifth in the UEFA five-year club Coefficient Ranking. However, as we'll come on to in a second, unlike in the old group stage format, there is not tangible sporting advantage to be gained from being in a higher pot.
As always, clubs from the same country cannot face each-other at this stage. Thus, the Gunners will not be drawn against WSL champions Manchester City, nor hated rivals Chelsea.
Every team will play six matches against six different opponents; three at home and three away. Arsenal will host one team from each pot, as well as travelling to take on a different side from each pot.
From pot 1, considering they cannot play themselves nor Chelsea, Arsenal are guaranteed to take on two of Barça Femení, Lyon, Bayern Munich or PSG. In pot 2, Real Madrid and Paris FC are certainly familiar foes, so fans would perhaps like to face Benfica and Roma for some variety.
Lastly, down in pot 3, Manchester City are, by far, the strongest side, making it advantageous that they cannot face the Sky Blues. Having taken on Oud-Heverlee Leuven three times last season, including twice in Belgium, fans are probably not desperate to return to Den Dreef. Austria Wien, Inter Milan and Servette Chênois would all represent new opponents.
After everyone has played six matches, the top four will progress to the quarter-finals, while teams ranked fifth to 12th must come through a play-off. Slegers' side finished fifth last season, hoping at least to go one better.
Renée Slegers' side will play their three home league phase fixtures at Meadow Park in Borehamwood. This is despite the fact all 13 of their Women's Super League games will be played at Emirates Stadium. Once the Gunners reach the knockouts, the bigger venue will be used.
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