Women's Champions League draw: Everything Real Madrid fans need to know
Could this be the season Real Madrid break new ground in the Women's Champions League? Since debuting in UEFA competition in 2021, los Blancos have featured in the group stage or league phase every time.
When is the Champions League league phase draw?
To maintain that streak, following last season's second-place finish in Liga F, Pau Quesada's team had to come through the third qualifying round. Los Merengues did just that, defeating Ajax 2-0 at Sportpark De Toekomst and then 2-1 at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano on Wednesday; Felicia Schröder on target in both legs.
How can I watch the Champions League draw?
The draw will be live streamed on UEFA.com
What pot are Real Madrid in for the Champions League draw?
Real Madrid currently sit eighth in the five-year UEFA Club Coefficient Ranking. This means they will be in pot 2 for Friday's draw.
Who can Real Madrid 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 Real Madrid not face in the Champions League?
No two clubs from the same country can face each-other in the league phase. Thus, Real Madrid will not come up against Barça Femení, albeit there is no country protection once the knockouts begin.
How does the Champions League league phase draw work?
Real Madrid will play six Champions League league phase matches, three at home and three on the road. Los Blancos will come up against two teams from each pot, welcoming one to the Spanish capital, while visiting the other.
From pot 1, even though holders Barcelona are not an option, Quesada's team are guaranteed to run into two heavyweights. Arsenal knocked them out in the quarter-finals two seasons ago, before also beating Madrid 2-1 in Borehamwood last November. Amazingly, they have never previously come up against either Olympique Lyonnais Féminin nor Bayern Munich, so will that change?
Down in pot 2, having met Roma and Paris FC in last season's league phase, as well as the Parisians in the knockout round, fans would probably rather avoid them for variety. Benfica and Juventus would represent new opponents.
Lastly, Manchester City are certainly the pot 3 team everyone wants to avoid. The other five options, namely Oud-Heverlee Leuven, HB Køge, Austria Wien, Internazionale or Servette Chênois, have all never previously come up against Real Madrid.
After everyone has played six matches, the top four go through to the quarter-finals, with clubs ranked fifth to 12th going into the play-offs. Los Blancos finished seventh last year, ousting Paris FC 5-2, before being smashed 12-2 by Barcelona, and a similar run would probably be a success.
Where will Real Madrid play their Champions League matches?
Real Madrid will play all their matches at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in Valdebebas. With a capacity of just under 6,000, this is the home of their women's team as well as Castilla.
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.
