Arsenal will face reigning champions Barcelona in the league phase of the 2026/27 Women’s Champions League, setting up an early heavyweight clash between last season’s semi-finalists and the holders.

According to the UEFA draw on Friday, the Gunners will also face OL Lyonnes, Benfica, Paris FC, HB Koge and Inter Milan in the six-match league phase, which runs from September 22 to December 16.

Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, while Barcelona enter the new campaign as defending champions.

Chelsea have also been handed a demanding schedule, with Paris Saint-Germain and OL Lyonnes among their opponents.

The Women’s Super League champions will face PSG, Lyon, Roma, BK Hacken, Austria Wien and OH Leuven during the league phase.

Meanwhile, Manchester City, returning to the competition for the first time since the 2024/25 season, will also meet PSG.

City’s other opponents are Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, BK Hacken, Austria Wien and Inter Milan.

English teams’ fixtures

Arsenal: OL Lyonnes (H), Barcelona (A), Benfica (H), Paris FC (A), HB Koge (H), Inter Milan (A).

Chelsea: Paris Saint-Germain (H), OL Lyonnes (A), Roma (H), BK Hacken (A), Austria Wien (H), OH Leuven (A).

Manchester City: Paris Saint-Germain (H), Bayern Munich (A), Real Madrid (H), BK Hacken (A), Austria Wien (H), Inter Milan (A).

The league phase will begin with Matchday 1 on September 22 and 23, followed by Matchday 2 on September 30 and October 1.

Matchday 3 will be played on October 28 and 29, Matchday 4 on November 10 and 11, Matchday 5 on November 18 and 19, with the final league-phase fixtures scheduled for December 16.

The knockout phase play-offs will follow in February 2027, before the quarter-finals in March and April and the semi-finals in May.

The final is scheduled for May 28, 29 or 30, 2027, at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw.