The UEFA Women's Champions League is set to commence its new season with the first qualifying round starting on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. This stage marks the beginning of the tournament, featuring a total of 19 teams competing in five separate knockout mini-tournaments.

Competition Format

During the first qualifying round, teams will engage in semi-final matches on Wednesday, followed by finals and third-place matches on Saturday, July 25. The five teams that emerge victorious from these mini-tournaments will advance to the champions path of the second qualifying round, which is scheduled to take place from August 4 to August 8. The draw for this round has already been conducted.

Advancement to the Next Rounds

The 11 winners from the second qualifying round will then move on to the third qualifying round, where seven teams will enter automatically. Ultimately, the winners of the nine ties in this round will join the nine clubs that have already qualified directly for the league phase of the tournament.

As the first qualifying round approaches, anticipation builds for the exciting matches ahead, setting the stage for a competitive season in women's football.