The 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Champions League promises thrilling encounters, with holders Arsenal set to face the eight-time winners Lyon in the new-look expanded league phase. This high-profile fixture pits two of women’s football’s giants against each other in a tournament format redefined for more competitiveness and excitement.
Clash of Titans: Arsenal vs Lyon
Arsenal enters the season as the reigning champions following their 2024-25 success, having lifted their second Champions League trophy. They will face Lyon, the most decorated club in Women’s Champions League history with eight titles, in what is expected to be a gripping contest between past and present champions.
The Gunners previously overcame Lyon in last season’s semifinals despite losing the first leg, underscoring the intensity and quality of this budding rivalry. With the new league phase, Arsenal and Lyon will face each other in a single round, heightening the stakes in their early-season encounter.
New Format Overview
From 2025-26, the Women’s Champions League features a new league format replacing the traditional group stage. A total of 18 teams compete in one league phase, each facing six different teams — three matches at home and three away — drawn from three seeding pots.
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Team Count | 18 teams |
| Matches per Team | 6 matches (3 home, 3 away) |
| Opponents | 6 different teams (from 3 seed pots) |
| Points System | 3 points win, 1 point draw, 0 points loss |
| Qualification | Top 4 to quarter-finals directly |
| Play-offs | 5th-12th place teams contest play-offs |
| Eliminated Teams | 13th-18th place teams exit competition |
| Final | May 2026 at Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway |
The top four teams at the end of the league phase progress straight to quarter-finals. Teams finishing 5th to 12th compete in knockout play-offs for a place in the quarter-finals, while the bottom six are eliminated.
Arsenal’s 2025-26 League Phase Opponents
| Opponent | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyon | Home | Eight-time champions |
| Real Madrid | Home | Spanish league competitors |
| Bayern Munich | Away | German powerhouse |
| Benfica | Away | Portuguese champions |
| OH Leuven (Belgium) | Away | Emerging Belgian club |
This challenging fixture list demands consistent performance from Arsenal as they defend their title in this highly competitive new league structure.
Lyon’s Position and Challenge
Lyon continues as one of the dominant forces under coach Renee Slegers, bolstering a squad packed with international stars. Their experience and historical success make them a formidable adversary for Arsenal and a key contender to regain the trophy.
Broader Context: Top English Teams in Competition
| Club | Opponents of Note | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Lyon, Real Madrid | High-profile opener vs Lyon |
| Chelsea | Barcelona | Reunion and tough challenge |
| Manchester United | Lyon | Challenging group stage fixtures |
Significance of the Meeting
The encounter between Arsenal and Lyon is not just about points; it symbolizes the rivalry between past champions and the continuing evolution of women’s club football in Europe. The expanded format increases the stakes with more matches, more competitiveness, and more exposure for the sport.
Conclusion
As Arsenal prepares to defend their crown, their clash with Lyon early in the league phase stands out as a defining moment of the 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Champions League season. With an exciting new format, storied clubs, and high-quality football on display, fans worldwide can look forward to a captivating season ahead.