Chelsea Set to Compete Against Real Sociedad in UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifiers
Chelsea will go head-to-head with Spanish club Real Sociedad in the third qualifying round of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The draw for the crucial third qualifying round was held this morning at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Advertisement
A total of 18 clubs participated in this round’s draw, which was organized into two distinct paths: the Champions Path, featuring eight teams, and the League Path, with ten teams. Chelsea entered the draw as one of the five seeded teams within the League Path.
The draw matched Chelsea against the Liga F team Real Sociedad, setting the stage for a two-legged knockout tie. The first leg will take place in England on 26 August 2026, followed by the second leg in Spain, provisionally scheduled for 2 September 2026. Exact kick-off times will be confirmed and announced within the next 36 hours.
The victors of these third qualifying round matches will progress to the League Phase, which consists of 18 teams and was first introduced last season.
Both Manchester City, the champions of the Barclays Women’s Super League, and runners-up Arsenal will automatically enter the League Phase. UEFA will hold the draw for the League Phase on 27 August 2026.
Chelsea will face Spanish club Real Sociedad in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League’s third qualifying round.
The draw for the third qualifying round of this season’s competition took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland this morning.
Advertisement
In total, 18 clubs entered the third qualifying round draw. The draw was split into two paths; the Champions Path (made up of eight teams) and the League Path (made up of 10 teams). Chelsea went into the draw as one of the five seeded sides in the League Path.
The draw determined that Chelsea will face Spanish Liga F Moeve side Real Sociedad in the third qualifying round. The tie will be played out in the traditional knockout format over two legs. The first leg will be staged in England on 26 August 2026 while the second leg will provisionally take place in Spain on 2 September 2026. Kick-off times will be finalised and publicised within the next 36 hours.
The winners of the third qualifying round ties will advance to the 18-team League Phase which was initially launched last season.
Barclays Women’s Super League champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal will go straight into the League Phase. The League Phase draw is set to be conducted by UEFA on 27 August 2026.
[/gpt3]