Women's Champions League: Nine teams to qualify directly for revamped tournament from 2025-26
- Published
Women's Super League holders Chelsea only qualified directly for the Champions League this season because Spanish champions Barcelona had already secured their place by winning last year's competition
Nine teams will qualify directly for the Women's Champions League when it changes format in the 2025-26 season.
The current competition has been criticised as only four teams qualify directly for a 16-team group stage.
That will change when the tournament switches to an 18-team league format, including the champions of the six top-ranked national associations.
It means the winners of the Women's Super League (WSL), currently ranked fourth, will directly qualify.
The runners-up of the two top-ranked associations will also be guaranteed direct qualification, along with the previous season's winners.
Currently only the holders and champions of the three top-ranked leagues - now Spain, Germany and France - qualify automatically for the group stages.
WSL champions Chelsea only qualified directly this season because Spanish champions Barcelona had already secured their place by winning last year's competition.
Manchester United and Arsenal, who finished second and third in the WSL respectively, were beaten in qualifying.
Governing body Uefa has also confirmed the new second women's European competition will be a straight knockout format.
The tournament will feature six rounds, with the final played over two legs.
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