The UEFA Women`s Champions League (UWCL) season kicks off this week, introducing several novelties: a revised format, a defending champion making their first title defense, and an influx of new talent, all promising an exhilarating campaign.
Following the men`s competition, the UWCL now implements the Swiss system, expanding from 16 to 18 teams for its inaugural league phase. Each team will play six matches through mid-December, with numerous high-stakes encounters. The top four teams will secure direct qualification to the quarterfinals, advancing them significantly closer to the final on May 24 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
Matchday 1 features a standout fixture: Arsenal vs. OL Lyon, pitting the current European champions against the most successful club in the competition`s history. Both teams aim to assert their title aspirations early. Barcelona, winners of three of the last five UWCL titles, face Bayern Munich on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Chelsea starts their campaign for a first UWCL title against Twente.
CBS Sports is the exclusive U.S. broadcaster for the UWCL this season, offering complete coverage of every match across various platforms, including Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
How to Watch UWCL Matchday 1
Paramount+ serves as the central hub for all UWCL content, complemented by select matches and supplementary programming on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Daily broadcasts commence with “UEFA Women`s Champions League Today” on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network before early games. Later matches are preceded by an hour-long pre-match show on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. Post-match analysis is available on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, with CBS Sports Golazo Network concluding the day with “Scoreline.”
The new “UEFA Women`s Champions League Today” studio program on CBS Sports will be hosted by Hannah Caash. Analysts include Jen Beattie, Janelly Farias, Darian Jenkins, Kelley O`Hara, and Ali Riley. Chris Wittyngham will provide play-by-play commentary alongside Beattie and Jenkins, with Anita Jones reporting pitchside and Christina Unkel as the rules analyst.
The New League Phase Format
This season marks the introduction of the league phase to the Women`s Champions League, expanding the competition to 18 teams. Each team will play six league phase matches. The top four teams will automatically advance to the quarterfinals. An additional eight teams (ranked 5th-12th) will enter knockout phase playoffs to determine the remaining quarterfinalists. The tournament then proceeds with a traditional knockout format, culminating in the final on May 24 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway.
Matchday 1 TV Schedule
All times U.S. Eastern Time
Tuesday, October 7
| Match/Show | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today pre-match | 12:30 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Juventus vs. Benfica | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today pre-match | 2 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| CBS Sports Golazo Matchday | 2:45 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Paris FC vs. OH Leuven | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Arsenal vs. Lyon | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today post-match | 5 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Scoreline | 5 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Wednesday, October 8
| Match/Show | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today pre-match | 12:30 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Real Madrid vs. Roma | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Twente vs. Chelsea | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today pre-match | 2 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| CBS Sports Golazo Matchday | 2:45 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Manchester United vs. Valerenga | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| St. Polten vs. Atletico Madrid | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Wolfsburg vs. Paris Saint-Germain | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| UEFA Women`s Champions League Today post-match | 5 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Scoreline | 5 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Key Storylines for Matchday 1
Arsenal vs. Lyon Showdown
Matchday 1 immediately presents a high-stakes encounter between current champions Arsenal and record eight-time winners OL Lyon. This early-season fixture is crucial for both sides. Lyon, under new manager Jonatan Giraldez, has begun their domestic season perfectly after a summer recruiting Lily Yohannes, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and Jule Brand, aiming for their first Champions League title since 2022. Their formidable squad will face its first major European test on Tuesday, giving Giraldez an opportunity to assess his optimal lineup. Arsenal, still basking in their historic first Champions League win and recently honored as Women`s Club of the Year at the Ballon d`Or, has had a challenging start to their Women`s Super League season, with only two wins from five matches and winless in their last three. Despite this form, the Gunners possess a strong squad, including consecutive European champions Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly, and Ballon d`Or runner-up Mariona Caldentey. The key question is whether they can coalesce in time for their Champions League opener.
USWNT Stars in Action
Several U.S. Women`s National Team players are competing in this season`s Champions League, many with title-conntending clubs. The Arsenal-Lyon clash on Tuesday will feature Emily Fox for Arsenal against Lyon`s Lindsey Horan and Lily Yohannes, with Yohannes potentially making her UWCL debut after her move from Ajax. Alyssa Thompson might debut for Chelsea against Twente. Other potential USWNT participants include Naomi Girma and Catarina Macario. Phallon Tullis-Joyce is expected to start in goal for Manchester United against Valerenga on Wednesday, and Crystal Dunn could play for Paris Saint-Germain against Wolfsburg.
