Women's Champions League draw: Everything Man City fans need to know
Manchester City are back competing in the Women's UEFA Champions League. Last season, Andrée Jeglertz led the Sky Blues to their first Women's Super League title for a decade, and second in history.
Thus, this saw the Citizens qualify automatically for the league phase, ending their two-year European exile. Man City reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2017 and 2018, going no further than the last eight subsequently, but are among the favourites this year.
So, ahead of the Champions League draw, here is what Manchester City fans need to know.
When is the Champions League league phase draw?
The Women's Champions League league phase draw takes place at UEFA HQ in Nyon on Friday 4 September. It is scheduled to start at 11am (BST) or 6am (ET).
How can I watch the Champions League draw?
The draw will be live streamed on UEFA.com
What pot are Manchester City in for the Champions League draw?
Having failed to qualify for Europe in both of the last two seasons, Manchester City find themselves down in pot 3. They will be the team from this section everyone else is desperate to avoid. However, unlike when the competition featured a group stage, there is not tangible sporting disadvantage to this for the Sky Blues.
Who can Manchester City face in the Champions League draw?
Pot 1
Barcelona Femení
OL Lyonnes
Chelsea
Bayern Munich
Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain
Pot 2
Real Madrid
Juventus
BK Häcken
AS Roma
Benfica
Paris FC
Pot 3
Manchester City
Oud-Heverlee Leuven
HB Køge
Austrian Wien
Internazionale Milano
Servette Chênois
Who can Manchester City not face in the Champions League?
Two clubs from the same national ascoation cannot be drawn against each-other in the league phase. Thus, Manchester City will not come up against historic WSL rivals Arsenal nor Chelsea at this stage.
How does the Champions League league phase draw work?
Manchester City will play six league phase matches, three at home and three away. This involves taking on two teams from each pot, one at Academy Stadium and one on the European road.
In pot 1, we already know that the Sky Blues cannot be drawn against the other English sides. Thus, they are guaranteed to face two of Barça Femení, OL Lyonnes, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain. A meeting with PSG or Bayern would be a first.
Looking at pot 2, the Citizens have twice lost key qualifiers against Real Madrid, so would probably prefer to avoid los Blancos. Were they to draw Juventus, BK Häcken, Benfica or Roma, the two clubs would be going head-to-head for the first time.
Lastly, in their own section pot 3, whoever Man City draw, they will face for the first time, having never previously come across Servette Chênois, Internazionale, HB Køge, Austria Wien or Oud-Heverlee Leuven.
After everyone has played six matches, the top four clubs will go straight through to the quarter-finals. Clubs ranked fifth to 12th face the play-offs, with the bottom six eliminated. While a top four finish is a big ask, Man City should have more than enough to get through.
Where will Manchester City play their Champions League matches?
Manchester City's home is Joie Stadium, located on the Etihad campus. It has a capacity of 7,000, albeit this is reduced to just under 5,000 for UEFA fixtures. Selected Champions League fixtures, should the Sky Blues reach the knockout phase, may take place next door at the Etihad.
Champions League 2026/27 league phase dates
League phase draw: Friday 4 August - 11am (BST) start.
Matchday 1: 22-23 September.
Matchday 2: 30 September & 1 October.
Matchday 3: 28 & 29 October.
Matchday 4: 10 & 11 November.
Matchday 5: 18 & 19 November.
Matchday 6: Wednesday 16 December.
