Official: Second tournament to debut in women's European club football

Currently, women's European club football features just one competition—the Champions League. However, starting from the 2025/2026 season, the tournament structure will expand.

Details: According to a UEFA press release, a new tournament, the Women's European Cup, will launch next season. The competition’s branding and trophy will be unveiled ahead of its debut, but qualification details have already been outlined.

A total of 44 teams will participate, with the tournament comprising two qualifying rounds and a knockout stage. Seven league runners-up from UEFA-ranked leagues 18 to 24 and six third-placed teams from those same leagues will enter the first qualifying round.

Additionally, teams eliminated from the Women's Champions League will drop into this tournament—those knocked out in the second mini-tournament round and third-round losers.

Notably, the Women's European Cup will not feature a group stage. Every round, including the final, will consist of two-legged knockout matches, played home and away. The winner of the Women's European Cup will earn a spot in the second round of the Champions League champions' path.

Reminder: The Women's Champions League will also undergo changes in 2025, introducing a league phase similar to the format in the men’s competition.