Overview

• The league phase replaces groups with each club playing six unique games, the top four advancing to the quarterfinals and teams placed fifth to 12th entering a playoff round while the bottom six exit.
• Holders Arsenal open at home against record eight-time winners Lyon, with the Gunners short on domestic form and captain Leah Williamson still sidelined as Lyon arrive in strong early-season shape under Jonatan Giráldez.
• Barcelona host Bayern Munich and Chelsea visit Twente on Matchday 1, while Manchester United make their main-draw debut after qualifying and face Valerenga.
• Disney+ has a multi-year live-rights deal in many markets, with select free-to-air windows such as the BBC in the UK, while CBS Sports says it will be the exclusive U.S. home across Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
• UEFA has also launched the Women’s Europa Cup as a new second-tier knockout competition whose winner gains a spot in next season’s Champions League third qualifying round, with this season’s UWCL final slated for May in Oslo.