Your Guide to the UEFA Women’s Champions League Knockout Draw

How Have the English Clubs Performed in the Group Stage?

The UEFA Women’s Champions League is set to return with thrilling knockout-stage action as the quarter-final draw takes place on Friday, 7 February. With Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City representing England in the final eight, this year’s tournament promises intense battles on the road to Lisbon, where the grand final will be held.

Defending champions Barcelona will be aiming to secure their third consecutive European title, while Lyon, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Wolfsburg will also be fighting to claim club football’s most prestigious trophy in women’s football.

Here’s everything you need to know about the quarter-final and semi-final draw, the teams involved, and what to expect from this season’s competition.

When is the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final Draw?

The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final draw will take place on:

📅 Date: Friday, 7 February
📍 Location: UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland
📺 Where to Watch: UEFA.com (Livestream available)

The draw will also include the semi-final pairings, determining the complete knockout bracket leading up to the final.

Who Won Last Season’s Women’s Champions League?

Barcelona are the reigning champions of the Women’s Champions League, having secured back-to-back titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Last season, they defeated Lyon 2-0 in the final, thanks to stellar performances from Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas.

This victory made Barcelona the dominant force in European women’s football, having now won the tournament three times (2020/21, 2022/23, 2023/24). They are considered the favorites once again as they look to claim a fourth title.

English Clubs’ History in the Women’s Champions League

• Arsenal remains the only English club to have won the Women’s Champions League, lifting the trophy in 2007 after a 1-0 victory over Sweden’s Umeå, with Alex Scott scoring the decisive goal.
• Chelsea have come close but have been eliminated in the semi-finals for the past two seasons.
• Manchester City return to the competition after missing out last season, though they failed to top their group due to a crucial loss against Barcelona.

Which Teams Have Qualified for the Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals? 

The eight teams competing in this season’s quarter-finals are:

🏆 Group Winners:

• Barcelona (Spain) – Defending Champions
• Lyon (France) – Most Successful Club in Competition History
• Arsenal (England) – WSL’s Only Champions League Winners
• Chelsea (England) – Strong Contenders for the Title

🥈 Group Runners-Up:

• Manchester City (England) – Making Their Return to Knockouts
• Bayern Munich (Germany) – Seeking a Deep Run in the Tournament
• VfL Wolfsburg (Germany) – Former Champions with a Strong Squad
• Real Madrid (Spain) – Hoping to Make a Statement in Europe

Potential Quarter-Final Matchups

Since group winners must be drawn against group runners-up from a different group, possible matchups include:

• Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg, or Real Madrid
• Lyon vs. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Manchester City
• Arsenal vs. Manchester City, Wolfsburg, or Real Madrid
• Chelsea vs. Manchester City, Wolfsburg, or Bayern Munich

One of the most exciting possibilities is an all-English clash, with Manchester City potentially facing either Arsenal or Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

How Does the Women’s Champions League Knockout Stage Work?

Quarter-Final Draw Rules

• Group winners must be drawn against a runner-up from a different group.
• Teams from the same group cannot play each other in the quarter-finals.
• No country protection—meaning clubs from the same nation can face each other.
• Quarter-final ties will be played over two legs (home and away).

Semi-Final Draw

Once the quarter-final matchups are set, UEFA will conduct a separate draw for the semi-finals, determining the full bracket leading to the final.

Match Schedule

• Quarter-Finals: First leg – March 19-20 | Second leg – March 26-27
• Semi-Finals: First leg – April 23-24 | Second leg – April 30 – May 1
• Final (Lisbon, Portugal): Saturday, May 25

Can Barcelona Win Their Third Consecutive Title?

Barcelona enters the quarter-finals as the team to beat. With a squad boasting Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Salma Paralluelo, and Caroline Graham Hansen, they have dominated European football in recent years.

However, Lyon, the most successful club in Women’s Champions League history, will be eager to reclaim their crown after falling short last season. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal are determined to bring the title back to England, while Manchester City hopes to make a strong impact after returning to the knockout stage.

With a mix of experience, emerging talents, and unpredictable matchups, this season’s Women’s Champions League is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet.

Where to Watch the Women’s Champions League Draw?

Fans can follow the live draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals on:

📅 Date: Friday, 7 February
📍 Location: UEFA Headquarters, Nyon, Switzerland
📺 Watch Live On: UEFA.com

The excitement is building, and with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City in the mix alongside Barcelona, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, the road to Lisbon is set to be a thrilling journey.

Who will lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy in May? The battle starts now!