Manchester City Women will discover their UEFA Women's Champions League opponents on Friday, with the League Phase draw set for Nyon. The club returns to Europe's elite competition as reigning Barclays Women's Super League champions, having secured the 2025/26 title with a dominant campaign that saw them finish four points clear of Arsenal W.
This marks the ninth time the club has competed in the Champions League in its professional history. Their best runs came in successive semi-final appearances in 2017 and 2018, where they were knocked out by eventual winners OL Lyonnes. According to a report on the club's official website, www.mancity.com, City have automatically qualified for the new League Phase format.
What is the new Champions League format?
The 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League introduces a league model for the first time. Eighteen teams will each play six matches, three at home and three away. After these fixtures, the top four sides qualify directly for the quarter-finals. Teams finishing between fifth and twelfth enter a two-legged play-off round. Finishing fifth to eighth provides a tangible advantage, as those clubs are guaranteed to play the second leg of their play-off at home.
Manchester City Women's impressive domestic form, which saw them score 62 goals and concede just 19 last season, will be tested on this new European stage. The fixture dates for the League Phase have been confirmed by UEFA across six matchweeks: 22/23 September, 30 September/1 October, 28/29 October, 10/11 November, 18/19 November, and 16 December. Specific match dates and times for City will be confirmed after Friday's draw.
Which pot are Manchester City Women in?
For the draw on 4 September, Manchester City Women have been placed in Pot 3. The draw procedure means City will face two opponents from each of the other pots, playing one match at home and one away against those teams. A key rule prevents them from being drawn against fellow English clubs Chelsea or Arsenal in this initial phase. Also, they may only play against a maximum of two opponents from any other single national association.
This structure ensures a wide variety of opposition and a true test across the continent. Fans eager to see how the European schedule integrates with domestic commitments can view the full calendar on the club's fixtures page.
How does last season's form translate to Europe?
Manchester City Women enter the Champions League on the back of a formidable title-winning season. They finished first in the FA WSL with 55 points from 22 games, recording 18 wins, one draw, and three losses. Their recent form of WWLWW and a commanding +43 goal difference show the attacking threat they will bring to the competition. The squad that achieved this, detailed on the official squad list, now has the chance to test itself against Europe's best.
The new format promises more high-stakes matches and a clearer path for consistent performers. Securing a top-four finish in the League Phase is the immediate target to bypass the play-off round entirely. The club's current standings reflect their domestic dominance, which they will aim to replicate on the continental stage.
The draw takes place at 11:00 UK time in Nyon, Switzerland, setting the stage for Manchester City Women's European campaign to begin in late September.
