UEFA Women’s Champions League Matchday 1: Storylines, Schedule & How to Watch

The UEFA Women`s Champions League season kicks off with significant changes, including a revamped format, a new defending champion, and several prominent newcomers, setting the stage for a thrilling competition.

Following the men`s tournament, the UWCL introduces a Swiss system format this season, expanding the league phase from 16 to 18 teams. Each team will play six matches through mid-December, with numerous high-stakes encounters. The top four teams will secure direct qualification to the quarterfinals, advancing closer to the final on May 24 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.

Matchday 1 highlights include a clash between Arsenal and OL Lyon, pitting the defending champions against the most successful club in the competition`s history. Both teams aim to establish themselves as early title contenders. Barcelona, winners of three of the last five Champions League titles, will face Bayern Munich on Tuesday. Chelsea starts their campaign for a maiden UWCL title against Twente on Wednesday.

For the first time, CBS Sports holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for the UWCL, offering complete coverage across various platforms. Matchday 1 will be extensively covered across Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Here`s essential viewing information.

How to Watch

Paramount+ serves as the primary hub for all Champions League content, complemented by select matches and supplementary coverage on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Daily broadcasts commence with “UEFA Women`s Champions League Today” on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network, preceding early kickoffs. An hour-long pre-match show will air on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network before later games. Post-match analysis will be available on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, while CBS Sports Golazo Network will conclude the day with “Scoreline.”

Hannah Caash will anchor CBS Sports` new studio show, “UEFA Women`s Champions League Today.” Analysts include Jen Beattie, Janelly Farias, Darian Jenkins, Kelley O`Hara, and Ali Riley. Chris Wittyngham will provide play-by-play commentary, joined by Beattie and Jenkins. Anita Jones will report from the pitch, and Christina Unkel will act as the rules analyst.

The League Phase Comes to the UWCL

This season marks the introduction of the league phase to the Women`s Champions League, expanding the competition from 16 to 18 teams. Each team will compete in six league phase matches. The top four teams will automatically advance to the quarterfinals, while teams ranked fifth through eighth will enter knockout phase playoffs against teams ranked ninth through 12th for the remaining quarterfinal berths. The tournament then proceeds with its standard knockout format, culminating in the final on May 24 at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway.

Matchday 1 TV Schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Storylines for Matchday 1

Arsenal vs. Lyon Showdown

The UWCL quickly delivers a top-tier clash between reigning champions Arsenal and eight-time record holders OL Lyon. Although early in the season, this fixture is crucial for both sides. Lyon, under new manager Jonatan Giraldez, has had a flawless start in domestic league play. Following a busy summer acquiring talents like Lily Yohannes, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, and Jule Brand, they aim to reclaim the Champions League title they last won in 2022. While their squad is undeniably strong, their true European test begins with Tuesday`s match, providing Giraldez an initial opportunity to assess his optimal starting eleven.

For Arsenal, the prestige of their first Champions League victory remains, further underscored by their Women`s Club of the Year award at the recent Ballon d`Or ceremony. However, their current season start has been challenging, with only two wins from five Women`s Super League matches and no wins in their last three outings. This worrying form precedes a major European fixture. Despite this, the Gunners possess the talent to be competitive on Tuesday, featuring European champions Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly, and Ballon d`Or runner-up Mariona Caldentey. The key question is whether they can coalesce effectively for their Champions League opener.

USWNT Stars in the UWCL

Several U.S. Women`s National Team players are participating in this season`s Champions League, many with strong title aspirations. The high-profile Arsenal vs. Lyon match on Tuesday will feature this talent, with Arsenal`s Emily Fox potentially facing Lyon`s Lindsey Heaps and Lily Yohannes. Yohannes, after gaining experience at Ajax, might make her UWCL debut for Lyon.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Thompson is a potential debutant when Chelsea visits Twente. USWNT teammates Naomi Girma and Catarina Macario are also expected to feature. Phallon Tullis-Joyce is anticipated to start in goal for Manchester United against Valarenga on Wednesday, and Crystal Dunn could play for Paris Saint-Germain in their match against Wolfsburg on the same day.