Arsenal Women will face Barcelona, Lyon, Benfica, Paris FC, HB Køge and Inter Milan in the league phase of the 2026/27 Women’s Champions League.
Renée Slegers’ side discovered their six opponents during Friday morning’s draw, with Arsenal handed three fixtures at home and three away.
The standout games see Arsenal travel to defending champions Barcelona and welcome Lyon to north London in a repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final.
According to Arsenal’s official confirmation of the draw, Benfica and HB Køge will also visit Arsenal, while the Gunners must travel to Paris FC and Inter Milan.
Arsenal Women’s Champions League opponents confirmed
Arsenal’s complete league-phase draw is:
Opponent Venue
Lyon Home
Barcelona Away
Benfica Home
Paris FC Away
HB Køge Home
Inter Milan Away
The draw provides Arsenal with two huge Pot 1 tests.
UEFA confirms Barcelona enter the competition as defending champions, having beaten Lyon 4-0 in last season’s final.
Arsenal’s meeting with Lyon carries its own significance.
The French side ended Arsenal’s defence of their European crown at the semi-final stage last season, meaning their trip to north London provides Slegers’ players with an immediate opportunity for revenge.
Arsenal had finished fifth in the league phase before progressing through the knockout play-offs and eventually reaching the last four.
The aim this time will be to avoid that additional round entirely.
Our full Arsenal Women Champions League draw guide explains that the top four teams in the 18-club league advance directly to the quarter-finals.
Teams finishing between fifth and 12th must instead contest a two-legged knockout play-off.
Barcelona trip headlines difficult Arsenal draw
Barcelona away is comfortably the most intimidating fixture Arsenal could have received.
The Spanish champions finished top of last season’s league phase before going on to win their fourth Women’s Champions League title.
Lyon are hardly an easier assignment, although Arsenal at least have home advantage for that game.
The remainder of the schedule appears more manageable.
Benfica finished 16th in last season’s league phase, while Paris FC reached the knockout play-offs.
HB Køge return to this stage after coming through qualification and Inter are preparing for their first appearance in the Champions League league phase. UEFA’s guide to all 18 participating clubs provides the full background to Arsenal’s opponents.
Slegers will nevertheless know there is little margin for error.
Arsenal have invested heavily in strengthening the squad this summer, with Élisa De Almeida becoming their latest arrival before Thursday night’s deadline.
Our analysis of Arsenal’s €600k De Almeida transfer explained why extra defensive depth was needed ahead of a season involving domestic and European competition.
The wider rebuild has raised expectations significantly, as examined in our Arsenal Women 2026/27 season preview.
When will Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures be played?
The league phase begins later this month.
The six matchdays are:
Matchday 1: September 22
Matchday 2: September 30 to October 1
Matchday 3: October 28-29
Matchday 4: November 10-11
Matchday 5: November 18-19
Matchday 6: December 16
UEFA says the complete fixture schedule, including the order of opponents and kick-off times, will be confirmed separately.
Before then, Arsenal’s attention returns to the WSL.
They begin their domestic campaign away to Brighton on Sunday, with our Brighton Women vs Arsenal Women preview covering the latest team news, predicted XI and key battle.
European nights against Barcelona and Lyon are now waiting further down the road.
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