UEFA announces Women's Champions League format change and new club competition from 2025-26 season

UEFA has announced that there will be changes to the Women's Champions League format from the 2025-26 season.

It was also confirmed that the UEFA Executive Committee approved the creation of a second European competition for women’s clubs for the same campaign.

The new Champions League format will consist of an 18-team league phase with three home and three away matches followed by knockout rounds.

The governing body said more details regarding the second European competition will be released in a separate communication on December 4.

The existing Champions League format has 16 teams competing in the group stages before the knockout stages get underway.

This season has seen English clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United miss out on the group stages after suffering defeat in the qualifying rounds.

English champions Chelsea are the only team from the Women's Super League in the competition this season, and they have four points from their opening two games.

Barcelona are the current Champions League holders after they edged Wolfsburg 3-2 in a thrilling final at the end of last season.

The Spanish club have started off their European campaign in fine style with two wins from their opening two matches.

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