Eintracht Women will be playing European football in 2025/26. Unlike in previous years, no German team will be involved in a mini-tournament this summer as the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga’s third-placed side enter the UEFA Women’s Champions League in the third qualifying round, which is played over two legs.
New European competition brings several changes
Instead of 16 teams competing in the UWCL group stage, 18 sides will now take part in the new league phase of the tournament. Olympique Lyon, Paris St. Germain, Bayern Munich, VfL Wolfsburg, Chelsea, Benfica and Juventus have qualified automatically, as will the 2024/25 winners (Barcelona or Arsenal, who face each other on 24 May) and the Spanish champions.
Eintracht will be joined in the third qualifying round by Paris FC, the second and third-placed sides in Spain’s top flight, Portuguese outfit Sporting CP and Arsenal – provided the Gunners don’t win the competition.
The UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, which is being launched next season, will follow a two-legged knockout format. Teams eliminated in the UWCL third qualifying round will enter the new competition in the second qualifying round – or round of 32.
Key UEFA Women’s Champions League dates:
- Third qualifying round draw: 31 August
- Third qualifying round: 11/18 September 2025
- UWCL league phase draw: 19 September 2025
- Matchday 1-6: 7 October – 17 December 2025
Key UEFA Women’s Europa Cup dates:
- Second qualifying round draw: 19 September 2025
- Second qualifying round: 7/8 and 15/16 October 2025
- Competition continues in two-legged knockout format from round of 16
